Get ready to fire up the grills and bring out the peaches—Kennesaw’s Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival is back, and it’s smokier and sweeter than ever. The City of Kennesaw is hosting the annual event on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16, 2025. The festival is a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned contest and Georgia State Championship event, bringing a showdown of the best BBQ talents in the region. The two-day 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.
BBQ Masters at Work
The Professional Contest is the real deal, with cook teams vying in the four KCBS meat categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork, and beef brisket. With a whopping total prize pool of $10,000, the competition is fierce and the stakes are high. Here’s what’s up for grabs:
- Grand Champion: $2,500 cash + artisan trophy
- Grand Reserve Champion: $1,500 cash + artisan trophy
- 1st Place in Each Category: $500 cash + artisan trophy
- 2nd Place in Each Category: $400 cash + artisan trophy
- 3rd Place in Each Category: $300 cash + artisan trophy
- 4th Place in Each Category: $200 cash + artisan trophy
- 5th Place in Each Category: $100 cash + artisan trophy
It’s a meat lover’s paradise, and the BBQ aromas will have you drooling from miles away.
For the Love of BBQ
Not just for the pros, the Backyard BBQ Contest brings out the BBQ enthusiasts, weekend warriors, and backyard grillers. Participants compete in three meat categories: chicken, pork ribs, and pork, with bragging rights and $1,550 in prize money at stake.
- Grand Prize: $500 cash + artisan trophy
- 1st Place in Each Category: $200 cash + artisan trophy
- 2nd Place in Each Category: $100 cash + artisan trophy
- 3rd Place in Each Category: $50 cash + artisan trophy
If your uncle swears he makes the best ribs in town, it’s time to put that claim to the test!
Anything Butt and Peach Desserts
The Anything Butt Contest allows participants to get creative with a provided meat item, crafting it into a delicious dish that might be a stew, soup, main course, or side. The Peach Dessert Contest, on the other hand, challenges cooks to incorporate peaches into their recipes.
- Anything Butt Contest Winner: $200 cash + artisan trophy
- Anything Butt Contest Runner-up: $100 cash + artisan trophy
- Peach Dessert Contest Winner: $200 cash + artisan trophy
- Peach Dessert Contest Runner-up: $100 cash + artisan trophy
These contests are perfect for those who love to experiment in the kitchen—or should we say, at the grill.
Music & Fireworks
As the sun sets and the BBQ smoke clears, the festival’s main stage comes alive with music. On Friday, August 15, catch some live music by a 2025 artist to be announced soon. And don’t forget the grand finale—an epic fireworks display to light up the night sky.
So mark your calendars for the Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival, where the only thing more intense than the flavors is the fun.
Contact Information:
Phone: (770) 422-9714
Dates and Times:
Friday, August 15, 2025 from 6 pm to 10 pm
Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 10 am to 10 pm
The festival is surrounded by rockin’ music on two stages and plenty of fun for the kids!
Festival Location:
Adams Park and the Ben Robertson Community Center
2600 Park Dr
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Admission:
Free
Parking:
Free public parking is available at the following locations. All locations are in walking distance of the festival. Courtesy shuttles are accessible from all lots.
Free public parking and courtesy shuttle is available at Kennesaw First Baptist Church, 295 North Main St.
Shuttle service will be available on Friday, August 16 from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM, and on Saturday, August 17 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
Handicap Parking:
Handicap parking along with handicap shuttles will be available at Kennesaw First Baptist Church. Limited handicap parking will be available on site.
For more information, please call (770) 422-9714.
Contact Information:
Phone: (770) 422-9714
Past Grand Champions
- 2024 – Bad Rooster BBQ
- 2023 – One Eyed Pig BBQ
- 2022 – Yes, Dear BBQ
- 2021 – Angry Jack BBQ
- 2020 – Canceled due to Covid-19
- 2019 – Quenit BBQ
- 2018 – Swine Dining
- 2017 – The Bald Hawg BBQ
- 2016 – Moyers Competition Bar-B-Q
- 2015 – Swine & Shine BBQ
- 2014 – Moyers Competition Bar-B-Q
- 2013 – Southern Thunder BBQ
- 2012 – Que’n Stew’n & Brew’n
- 2011 – Blue Sky BBQ
- 2010 – The Right Stuff BBQ
- 2009 – Chatham Artillery BBQ
- 2008 – Bill & The Dixie Chicks BBQ
- 2007 – Jack’s Old South BBQ