posted August 20, 2018 
Festival fans and music lovers will converge in Kennesaw for two days of barbeque bliss at the City of Kennesaw’s Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival presented by SCANA Energy on Friday, August 24, 6 – 10 pm and Saturday, August 25, 10 am – 10 pm at Adams Park. The event will be held rain or shine. Admission is free.
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 18th year, the festival features two days of non-stop music, good eats, cold beer and interactive family-fun. Attendees will find over 200 vendors, exhibitor and contestant booths, a Kid Zone full of inflatable jumpers, 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 official Georgia BBQ Championship event. Additional cooking events include a Backyard contest for amateurs, Anything Butt and Peach Dessert contests. Over $16,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to contest winners. A big thank you to our dedicated judges.
Music headliners on the SCANA Energy Main Stage include the soulful, Motown inspired contemporary artist Cas Haley Friday at 8:30pm, and The A1A Band, the only Jimmy Buffet Band Tribute show ever sanctioned by Jimmy Buffet himself Saturday at 8pm. Supporting artist include Mind Games, The Weekend Getaway Band, Latitude Adjustment Steel Band, and Ace Suggs!n Pictured: Jeff Pike, A1A Band.
Musicians on the Locally Brewed Stage include Atlanta Steel Pan, Brother Brown & Soulful Reunion, Parrot Island Band, Ace Suggs, the School of Rock East Cobb House Band, and Roger “Hurricane” Wilson.
Other attractions include helicopter rides, a side-by-side zip-line, and the SCANA Energy Family Stage showcasing regional dance and performance groups.
Saturday’s activities will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks finale at 9:30 pm.
While public tasting is not offered as part of the BBQ competition, there will be dozens of vendors (including several cook teams) who will be selling barbeque and other food and beverages, including beer. Prices will vary among vendors.
For the safety and comfort of festivalgoers, owners are discouraged from bringing their four-legged family members. Many dogs do not respond well to large crowds, loud noises and the heat.
Public parking is available at several locations in downtown Kennesaw. Limited handicap parking is available at Adams Park, 2753 Watts Drive. Courtesy shuttles will provide round-trip services from offsite parking locations at Kennesaw Elementary School, 3155 Jiles Rd., and Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old Hwy 41 Hwy., to the festival at Adams Park, 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw, GA.
For more information, visit pigsandpeaches.com or call Kennesaw Parks & Recreation at 770-422-9714.
Pictured: 2017’s Grand Champions, Volunteers manning the Information Booth, and great smelling ribs!
