KANNAPOLIS – We’re getting closer to Jiggy with the Piggy.

The smells and sights of more than 80 barbeque competition teams will fill Kannapolis. Smithfield will be the presenting sponsor of this year’s The Jiggy with the Piggy BBQ Competition and Festival. The event returns to downtown Kannapolis and the North Carolina Research Campus on May 6 and 7. Once again BBQ teams from around the U.S. will compete in this premier event sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

This year there will be more entertainment, carnival rides for children, more arts and crafts vendors, fireworks and of course, lots of BBQ to eat.

Schedule of Events:

Tuesday, May 3 – Jiggy with the Piggy 5K (runkannapolis.com)  New this year – we’ve moved the date to a Tuesday evening and if you dress in your best piggy outfit you can qualify for prizes and of course, everyone gets a cool Jiggy medal.

The event is part of the Run Kannapolis Series, one of the city’s Discover a Healthy Life brand initiatives. This year there are eight 5K walks/runs in the city.

The Jiggy with the Piggy 5K gets underway, at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Kannapolis, at the Core Lab, located at 150 N. Research Campus Drive. Pre-registration is $25 (and closes at 7 p.m. on May 2). Race Day Registration is $30 on site from 5-6:15 p.m. All 5K finishers will receive a medal. Special prizes will be given to those who wear piggy related attire.

The 5K is the opening event for the Jiggy with the Piggy Festival which will be held May 6-7. The 5K is also part of the Run Kannapolis series –

City leaders are asking people of all ages and all abilities to participate walk/run in these events.

Runners/walkers are encouraged to participate in the entire series of races and series awards will be provided to only those who finish at least five events. For those who participate and finish all eight events, there will be special recognition after the last event in January 2017.

When you register for one of these events you will automatically be entered into Run Kannapolis. There is no fee for Run Kannapolis. Your entry into the individual races listed above will be used to track your participation. You simply pay the entry fee for each individual event that you want to compete in.

For more information/register  – visit www.runkannapolis.com

Friday, May 6

8 a.m.-5 p.m.: BBQ competition teams arrive

5 p.m.: Festival opens – food, arts and crafts, carnival rides

7 p.m.: People’s Choice Wings begins (while supplies last) $10 for 10 samples

Concert: Emily Minor

8 p.m.: Family movie night – “Cars 2 “- Presented by 600 Festival

8:15 p.m.: Concert – Darrell Harwood

9 p.m.: People’s Choice ends

9:45 p.m.: Fireworks

Saturday, May 7

7 a.m.: YMCA All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast ($5 at Kannapolis YMCA)

9 a.m.: Festival opens

Food, arts and crafts, carnival rides

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Kids Zone activities

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Family movie – “Cars 2” – Presented by 600 Festival

Noon: People’s Choice Pork Challenge begins (while supplies last) $10 for 10 samples

Concert: Fantastic Shakers

Noon-1:30 p.m.: BBQ Competition judging

2 p.m.: People’s Choice Pork Challenge ends

3-5 p.m.: Concert: Coconut Groove Band

5p.m.: BBQ awards ceremony (Laureate Center)

Festival ends.

Check out the Jiggy with Piggy Facebook page and www.jiggywiththepiggy.com for more information.