This week has several quality events for the family – Juke Box Giants at the Strand, Pigs & Peaches at the City of Kennesaw, Dragon Boat races in Acworth and Martinis and Music at the MCMA. Something for everyone.
Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival – 20th Year
Festival fans and music lovers are invited to join Kennesaw Parks & Rec for two days of barbeque bliss at the Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival on Friday, August 20 from 6 – 10 p.m. and Saturday, August 21, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. at Adams Park. Presenting Sponsor Superior Plumbing.
From its humble beginnings, Pigs & Peaches has grown into one of the region’s most beloved festivals attracting an estimated 65,000 attendees annually. Now in its 20th year, the festival features two days of non-stop music, good eats, cold beer and interactive family-fun. Attendees will find over 100 vendors, exhibitor and contestant booths, a Kid Zone full of inflatables, amusements and attractions, tons of tasty treats to satisfy every whim, and an incredible lineup of live entertainment and street performers.
At the heart of the festival is a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned competition, which is also recognized as an official Georgia BBQ Championship event. Additional cooking events include a Backyard contest for amateurs, Anything Butt and Peach Dessert contests, and new this year, a Kid’s ‘Que contest. Over $16,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to contest winners.
Music headliners on the Main Stage include the rock & pop group, the Paul Hand Band, on Friday, starting at 8:00 p.m., and the sound of 80’s arena songs from Shyanne on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Supporting acts include Angie Lynn Carter, Flying Buffaloes, Same Holladay & Kaitlyn Hanks, The Shetlands, Bach to Rock Sandy Plains featuring Bella Delle and the School of Rock East Cobb House Band.
Musicians on the Locally Brewed Stage include Men in Blues, Josh Gilbert Band, Run Katie Run, School of Rock West Cobb, Stephanie Berlanga, Levi Ransom, Bad Guru and Ezra Jacob.
The event will be held rain or shine. Admission is free.For more information, visit www.pigsandpeaches.com or call Kennesaw Parks & Recreation at 770-422-9714.
PIGS AND PEACHES COURTESY SHUTTLES
COURTESY SHUTTLES will provide FREE round-trip service to the festival from the following convenient locations, including:
•Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old 41 Hwy. – Shuttle picks up & drops off near the main plaza (by the roundabout). This shuttle has a lift to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
•Kennesaw Elementary School, 3155 Jiles Rd. Shuttle picks up & drops off near the main portico.
•Commerative Park South Main St. -Shuttle picks up & drops off at the sidewalk
•Kennesaw First Baptist Church, 2958 North Main St. -Shuttle picks up & drops off at the front church parking lot.
Shuttle service will be available on Friday, August 23 from 5:30pm to 10:30pm, and on Saturday, August 24 from 9:30am to 10:30pm. Shuttles will depart from each location approximately every 20-25 minutes.
THE STRAND PRESENTS JUKEBOX GIANTS
Jukebox Giants: Motown & More is a song and dance musical revue featuring the most popular hits of the Motown era and beyond! This popular event is bringing live music back to Marietta. Music lovers can take a trip back to the golden age of classic pop, rock and Motown with sensational singers, dazzling dancers, colorful costumes and stunning sets as we bring the top jukebox favorites of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s to life, only on the Strand stage!
Audiences of all ages will be dancing in the aisles to the soulful sounds of Motown and more in this high-energy, must-see musical spectacular.
Performances are the weekend of Friday Aug 13-Sunday August 15 and Friday August 20-Sunday August 22. Tickets available online at www.earlsmithstrand.org
MCMA HOSTING MARTINIS AND MUSIC
Marietta Cobb Museum of Art is hosting Martinis and Music Night on August 20, 2021 from 5:30 pm until 8:30 pm at 30 Atlanta Street, Marietta, GA 30060. Johnny Porrazzo will be entertaining guests with his pop rock music. Metro Montage XXI, MCMA’s annual juried exhibition will be on view. Carriage House Catering will provide Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. The Museum is located at 30 Atlanta St., just of the Marietta Square. Admission is $10 at the door or free to members of Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org.
ACWORTH DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Dragon Boat Atlanta and Loving Arms are teaming up to bring you the Acworth Dragon Boat Festival! This event will be held on August 21, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Dallas Landing Park. (Acworth Parks and Rec advises the event will be free to anyone that wants to attend regardless of residency status.) Dragon Boating is an up-and-coming sport, soon to be an Olympic sport. Many communities hold dragon boat races as a different means to benefit charitable organizations within the community. These festivals are fun-filled days for all ages featuring corporate and community teams racing in 46-foot long ornamental dragon boats. Race day combines various cultural activities with food and fun for spectators and participants. People love the thrill, the teamwork, the adrenaline, and positive interaction in the boat. People who never thought of themselves as athletes can thrive in a dragon boat and discover a challenging alternative to other sports, which is why this is currently the fastest-growing water sport! To learn more about this sport or to get involved, please visit www.acworthdragonboatfest.com.
