Looking for BBQ? 50 teams will compete this weekend at Middle Tennessee Pig Fest
Organizers of Hendersonville's annual Pig Fest are hoping to one day rival the likes of the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue competition as the event continues to grow in popularity year over year.
More than twice the number of barbecue teams are set to compete at the festival this weekend compared to last year, according to a city press release.
“We are beginning to get on the map as far as BBQ festivals go in our state," Hendersonville Parks Director Andy Gilley said, noting that his department received the Tennessee Parks and Recreation Association’s Best Special Event award for Pig Fest in 2022.
“We have been blessed to receive several awards over the past few years for our facilities and programs, but this one is really special because it is one that our entire community embraces and supports,” Gilley said in the city's release.
As of Thursday, 50 BBQ teams had signed up in five categories for a chance to win $5,000.
The festival will open Friday with a concert featuring The Kentucky Headhunters with other local performers, including Dillon Carmichael, Clint Park, Ben Chapman and Charly Reynolds, from 5-10 p.m. at Veteran’s Park in Hendersonville.
General admission is $10 per ticket. Children under 12 are free.
Proceeds will benefit four local charities this year: Mary's Magical Place, LiveLoveNashville, Grace Place and Christmas4Kids.
“Pig Fest was started out of necessity and the work of our staff, Holiday Fest and Live Love Nashville to make sure we saved Christmas 4 Kids during the pandemic of 2020. Now, thanks to the support of our entire community, Pig Fest is the second biggest BBQ Festival in Middle Tennessee, and we are able to give back to more amazing charities,” the city noted.
What can you do at Pig Fest?
VIP tickets are available on Eventbrite and include access to the Friday concert and a VIP tent area with food catered by the Cajun Steamer, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, two drink tickets and event memorabilia.
Saturday’s schedule packs in a day’s worth of food trucks, vendors, college football, parking palette painting, live pig races and barbecue.
Festivalgoers can expect to find food, drink and sweets vendors like Andre’s BBQ, Bill’s Hot Fish and Chicken, El Trompo Taco Shop, Half Batch Brewing and Mini Donut Daze on Friday and Saturday. Other vendors will also be available on Friday or Saturday. Visit pigfesttn.com for a full list of vendors.
A Kids Zone with bounce houses, a cornhole tournament and a par-3 contest will also be featured Saturday, when the festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Veterans Park in Hendersonville.
The backyard BBQ competition will begin at 10 a.m. and run throughout the day.
Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Hendersonville Pig Fest to welcome 50 BBQ teams in weekend competition
