The City of Kennesaw is hosting the annual Pigs and Peaches BBQ Festival on Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27, 2011. The festival features plenty of great barbecued meats as well as great desserts and live entertainment. Kids will enjoy the large Kid Zone, and families can enjoy the numerous vendors and exhibits.
The Festival includes a Georgia State Championship Barbecue Cookoff, including over $14,000 in cash and prizes in an event sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. There is also a non-sanctioned Backyard BBQ event and a Anything Butt and Peach Dessert Contest. New this year for the kids is the Kid’s Q’ sponsored by EZ Grill.
Also new this year, the Silver Wings Army Paratroopers out of Fort Benning will be parachuting in to the event Saturday, August 27 at 1pm, and they are bringing a Black Hawk helicopter display as well as a flight simulator. The event concludes with a fireworks display on Saturday at 10pm.
Contact Information:
Phone: (770) 422-9714
Dates and Times:
Friday, August 26, 2011 from 5pm – 11pm
Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 10am – 10pm
Entertainment Stage:
Free live entertainment will be offered on two stages – the kids zone stage and the main stage.
On Friday, Toulouse Street (Doobie Brothers tribute band) will headline the main stage at 7:30pm.
On Saturday, the entertainment lineup on the kids stage includes puppet shows, youth dance performances, and cooking demonstrations. Saturday’s main stage lineup includes blues and jazz acts (including Tommy Keys and Martha Ann Brooks) as well as The Stranger (Billy Joel tribute) headlining at 7pm.
The Silver Wings Command Exhibition Parachute Demonstration Team from Fort Benning will jump into the Festival on Saturday, August 27 at 1pm.
Festival Location:
Adams Park and the Ben Robertson Community Center
2753 Watts Drive
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Admission:
Free
Parking:
Parking is available at the First Baptist Church on Main Street, in front of the Teen Center, at the Depot, at City Hall, at Publix and at strip mall immediately behind Publix, as well as some downtown businesses (marked with signage).
For more information, please call (770) 422-9714 or visit www.PigsAndPeaches.com.
Contact Information:
Phone: (770) 422-9714
For more information, please call (770) 422-9714 or visit www.PigsAndPeaches.com.
Contact Information:
Phone: (770) 422-9714
I took my 3yr old Grandson last year and the Kid Zone was GREAT! Lookin forward to the “Pigs” & KettleCorn! We are so excited for this year!
Thanks to the Peaches & Pigs!
Hi Wanda and thanks for the comment. We hope you have a great time again this year and we hope to hear from you again soon.
I went to the festival last year and it was wonderful, I would like to participate this year. I am trying to find the link to fill out the application for vendors can you assist me thank you.
Hi Lynette,
Applications are available online at:
http://www.facebook.com/PigsAndPeaches?sk=app_4949752878
I have never been; However my husband and i will be attending on Saturday and we are looking forward to the BBQ. we have heard wonderful things about this event.
Hi Amy,
Glad to hear that you plan to attend. This is a great event and one that should not be missed.
Serving booze?
Hi Wally,
Yes, there are two “Beer Gardens” at the event.
I’m there!
It’s very wet and rainy today. Will you guys still be out there?
We just got back from the event and it is definitely still on. It was sunny when we left, but you might want to bring an umbrella just in case.
I really enjoyed the festival. Great vendors and bbq. But where was the “Peach”? I did not see one peach desert in the place.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for your comment. You are correct in that the bbq is definitely featured more prominently than the peaches, but there were several great peach options available. Some vendors had peach cobbler available, and Mercier Orchards was there with ice cold peach cider. By the way, if you have not been to Mercier Orchards in North Georgia, you should definitely add a Mercier visit to your “to do” list.
We serve the Real Deal, just like in New Orlens. We cook our own syrups and serve generous portions. More than all the popular flavors. We would love to be a part of your event.
We were peoples choice champs at smoke on the lake ackworth an would like to join y’all but can’t find form
Hi Joe,
To download entry forms for 2011, visit pigsandpeaches.com. The deadline to submit entry forms is August 1, 2011.
Hello!
We would love to join you as a vendor at your event this year, but are having trouble locating a current vendor application. Went to pigsandpeaches.com, but no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks!
Hi Karin,
Applications are available online at:
http://www.facebook.com/PigsAndPeaches?sk=app_4949752878
Any craft vendor spots still left?
Thanks!
Hi Karin,
For vendor information, please call (770) 422-9714.
Will parking be available @ Ben Robertson Community Center?
Hi Lynette,
The parking area around the Ben Robertson Community Center will be used for the festival. There is usually a stage at the entrance to the center and tables, chairs, vendors, etc. in the parking lot (see pictures below).
Parking is available at the First Baptist Church on Main Street, in front of the Teen Center, at the Depot, at City Hall, at Publix and at strip mall immediately behind Publix, as well as some downtown businesses (marked with signage).
Can you tell me if there is a Kennesong Competition this year?
Hi Tonya,
We have not seen any information about it, but you can try calling the event organizers at (770) 422-9714 or visit the event website, online at PigsAndPeaches.com.
Hi I was wondering if there will be fresh peaches for sale?
Hi Susan,
Not sure if fresh peaches will be available, but there will be great foods and desserts made with peaches.
I went last year A!A was playing. Who is playing this year? It was a first date and we had a blast. We are still dating…
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the comment. Here is the entertainment lineup (also added to the main article above):
On Friday, Toulouse Street (Doobie Brothers tribute band) will headline the main stage at 7:30pm.
On Saturday, the entertainment lineup on the kids stage includes puppet shows, youth dance performances, and cooking demonstrations. Saturday’s main stage lineup includes blues and jazz acts (including Tommy Keys and Martha Ann Brooks) as well as The Stranger (Billy Joel tribute) headlining at 7pm.
Is beer for sale at the festival?
Hi Jim,
Yes, beer is available for sale.
I’ve never attended this festival before. Can someone sugguest how much money to bring? Thanks.
Hi Rachel,
You can enjoy the atmosphere and live entertainment for free, however you will probably want to buy some of the delicious food and drinks available for sale. It is probably a good idea to bring more than you think you will need, but they offer ATM machines if you need more.
New to the area and DEFINITELY coming on Friday night! Looks like something my family will enjoy
Hi Tara,
Welcome to Kennesaw and glad to hear you and your family will be there. It is a fun event – you might even decide to come back the next day.
Are dogs allowed? I have a 6 lb Chihuahua that usually rides in her tote bag everywhere I go but I didn’t want to drive up from Douglasville with her and then not be able to get in with her. Too hot to leave her in the car.
Hi Denise,
We would suggest calling the Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department at (770) 422-9714. We have seen dogs there in the past, but are not sure if there is a specific pet policy during the festival.
In years past, the main festival area has been in the parking lot around the community center. There were also some activities that took place on the athletic fields around the center (beer garden, sports zone, helicopter ride, etc.) and no pets are allowed on the fields (see above picture).
Any ideas on when the paratroopers will jump on Saturday? I would love to bring the kids to see them but with a new baby (3 month old) I can’t stay out in the heat for too long.
Hi Lindsay,
Congratulations on the new baby and very understandable not wanting to be out too long with a 3 month old. We called the Kennesaw Parks and Recreation department but were unable to get that information. They said that information might be posted on the pigsandpeaches.com website a bit closer to the event day though. If we find out any new information, we will be sure to post it.
Hi Lindsay,
We just found out that the Silver Wings Command Exhibition Parachute Demonstration Team from Fort Benning will jump into the Festival on Saturday, August 27 at 1pm.
Been living in Kennesaw for over six years, but this will be my family’s first time to the festival. Can’t wait. My daughter is excited to go, though she was disappointed to find out that she won’t see any pigs…live ones anyhow. (Or will she?).
Thanks,
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for the comment and glad you are going to the festival this year. We don’t recall seeing any live pigs in years past, however your daughter might have just as much fun spotting the amazingly creative banners with pigs on them – created by the bbq teams (see pictures above for examples).
Look forward to the event! Will they be selling event t-shirts?
I read online that they produced a festival shirt, but I am not sure if it is for sale or if it is for the vendors. My guess is that they will be for sale.
Hi Keith,
Shirts and other items may be purchased at the Cintas Booth (#406). Cintas is the tshirt sponsor for 2011.
Any reason this can’t be held in October when it is COOLER? Love going, but, the heat makes me cut short the visit every year.
Hi Chris,
If you want cooler temperatures, the best time to go is Saturday when it opens at 10am. The temperature is likely to be in the low 70′s at that time.
Any idea yet when the paratroopers will be jumping? I still can’t find out any info. about that.. Thanks!
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
We just found out that the Silver Wings Command Exhibition Parachute Demonstration Team from Fort Benning will jump into the Festival on Saturday, August 27 at 1pm.
Is each tent priced individually, or is there an option to get an “all you can eat” ticket? How much does the food generally cost?
Hi Sam,
Prices for food and drinks are determined by each vendor. Unfortunately there is no “all you can eat” ticket, but perhaps you should suggest that to the event organizers.
Prices are typically in the $1-$5 range, depending on the food item. There are also some tents in the backyard bbq contest and pro contest that do not sell food and are only there for the competition. These tents are generally away from the main area and are labeled with a “no vending” sign.
TOTALLY DISAPPOINTING !!!!!!!
This is the second time I have been to the festival and was completely disappointed.
The festival is great if you want to try your hand at a BBQ competition, but for the general public it was awful.
Very few vendors were giving samples whether free or for a small price.
I expected to try a number of different places and then become a customer of their establishment.
Instead, your offered a full plate of BBQ for 5$ or so. So, I ended up eating at one place where I ate an entire plate and was done eating. If I wanted to go eat a plate of BBQ, I can go to a local restaurant.
My suggestion to all the vendors:
If you want to build your business, you offer a small taste or sample of your food to the thousands of people who may become potential customers. I’m not saying it has to be free either. Give a small sample for free (similar to how the mall gets you to try a small piece to win a customer) or even if I can get 1 rib for 1$, this way I can try 5 places for 5$.
Either way, instead, I tried 1 place (which was very good) and looked at 100 BBQ signs wondering how their food was.
Oh….Pigs & Peaches – I don’t recall seeing anyone selling Peach Cobbler or Peach pie, etc.
Im looking for the soft serve ice cream vendor!! I had their card and lost it !anyone know their name??
Hi Cassie,
Have you tried calling the event organizers? You can reach them at (770) 422-9714 – hopefully they can help.