2025 Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival

By
Kennesaw.com

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, cold beer, 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 at the grill.

New Tasting Experience

The 2025 Pigs & Peaches Festival is turning up the heat with a brand-new tasting experience. For the first time, ticket holders will have access to a curated selection of tasting portions from multiple stations, each hosted by local vendors and restaurants.

This new offering will take place on Saturday, August 16, from noon to 4 pm in Tunnel Plaza, located next to 1885 Grill on Main Street. It’s a great opportunity for BBQ fans to explore a wide range of flavors in one convenient location.

Tickets are available online for $21 per person ahead of the festival. Prices will increase on the day of the event, and ticket quantities are limited. Questions? Contact hswift@kennesaw-ga.gov for more information about the tasting event.

Live Music

As the sun sets and the BBQ smoke clears, the festival’s main stage comes alive with music. Friday’s lineup includes George Pippen at 6 pm and Hayden Coffman at 8:15 pm. On Saturday, August 16, catch some live music by country legend Mark Wills at 8 pm. Also on the Saturday schedule is live music by Jessie Lane at 2 pm, Sons-N-Britches also at 2 pm, Red Boots on the Dance Floor at 5 pm, Candi Jenkins at 5:30 pm, and American Idol runner-up and rising star HunterGirl at 6:30 pm.

So mark your calendars for the Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival, where the only thing more intense than the flavors is the fun.

Kennesaw's best professional and amateur BBQ competition.
Kennesaw’s best professional and amateur BBQ competition.

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 and plenty of fun for the kids!

The festival is surrounded by rockin’ music on two stages and plenty of fun for the kids!

Festival Location:
Main Street & the United Bankshares Amphitheater
2828 Cherokee Street
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Admission:
Free

Parking:
Parking will be available throughout Downtown Kennesaw.

Handicap Parking:
Handicap-accessible parking will be available at both the Moon Station Road parking lot and Swift-Cantrell Park, with ADA-compliant shuttles providing transportation to and from the event.

For more information, please call (770) 422-9714.

Kennesaw Pigs and Peaches Barbeque Festival

Contact Information:
Phone: (770) 422-9714

Backyard BBQ event

Holy Smoked BBQ vendor

Plenty of food at the festival

Great fresh squeezed lemonade

Enjoy the huge kids zone

Kennesaw Pigs and Peaches Barbecue Festival

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

For more information, please call (770) 422-9714

72 COMMENTS

  1. 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!

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. We were peoples choice champs at smoke on the lake ackworth an would like to join y’all but can’t find form

  10. 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 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).

    • 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.

  15. 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.

    • 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.

  19. 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).

  20. 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.

  21. 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).

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

    • The Taste of Kennesaw is a sampling/ tasting of food event.That may the type of event you are referring too.

      As far as the Pigs and Peaches BBQ festival, it includes a BBQ competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society which is the largest in ,the State of Georgia. It was also chosen by KCBS as one of the top 25 BBQ festivals in the country.

      There is music, food, a Kid zone, all day entertainment, two evening concerts, and even a fireworks display to end the festival Saturday evening.

  28. Just a question. I thought the fest went for Friday, Saturday, Sunday? Am I mistaken? If so then why does it NOT cover the entire weekend?

    • Hi Goosenco,

      The Pigs & Peaches BBQ Fest is a two day festival on Friday and Saturday only. Not sure why they don’t include Sunday. If you would like to forward your suggestion to the event organizers, you can reach them at (770) 422-9714.

    • Hi Melissa and Michelle,

      It might be a good idea to check with the Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department to see what their policy is regarding coolers and chairs. You can reach them at (770) 422-9714.

    • Hi Andrew,

      The kids zone features a mix of both paid and free activities. Paid activities include rides, slides, jumpers, etc. and free activities include entertainment on the family stage and “a variety of interactive games and other child-friendly activities.” (source:pigsandpeaches.com)

  33. Hi, I am a North Cobb High School student, and I signed up yesterday to volunteer for the festival. However, I have yet to receive any information on what I will be doing and who to contact. Any suggestions on what to do?

  34. This year’s pigs and peaches festival was a waste of my time. I thought that this would be a great putting for the family, especialy my son and his best friend who both love bbq. I think the setup was wonderful & whoever took the time to plan this event did a great job, but my biggest gripe would be with the vendors. Most of the vendors probably had great products, but they mostly kept it to themselves. As I walked around a lot of the vendors were feeding their personal guests seated around their RVs, sitting around and enjoying the atmosphere. My wife thought that maybe they were on break. I must say that there was one vendor who was busy from the time I got to the event from the time I had arrived until the time I left. Zeigler’s BBQ had some great food. They were very busy and still found a way to be hospitable to their customers. One other gripe I have is if this was suppose to be a “pigs & peaches” festival, nobody had peach pies or cobblers. This was very disappointing for me. I walked the entire park and did not find but one vendor selling peaches, no peach pies though. Somewhat disappointing.

    • Hi Shawn,

      Thanks for the comment. Part of the festival includes a bbq competition, and many of the groups sitting around their RVs are actually just amateur bbq teams who are not legally allowed to sell the food they are cooking. They are cooking in order to enter their food into the competition, and they likely just share the rest with their friends and family. Many local BBQ restaurants were there though selling to the public, including BBQ Street where we had some great peach cobbler, Zeiglers where we had great pork and ribs, Big Shanty Smokehouse, Williamson Bros, JD’s, and several others. We also sampled some great peach pies from Mercier Orchards booth to the right of the main stage and some peach ice cream from Front Porch Ice Cream.

  35. The last time I was at the festival, there was a booth with cake-pops, I took a business card but I lost it and in would like to use this business for my wedding. Is there a vendor list I can look at to find them!?

  36. I am looking for a certain vendor that sold the most amazing strawberry lemonade I have ever had and I can’t remember their name. All I know is that they sold it in a small jug like plastic container and it had fresh strawberries and a lemon in it. I believe it was sold for $5. If you know their name could you please email their name so I can find them

  40. I loved being a vendor in 2021 and look forward to coming back with my amazing butters, shower steamers and self care gift boxes.
    Bless Somebody Soaps and Candles

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