KANNAPOLIS — Jiggy with the Piggy 2018 returns with the smells and tastes of barbeque and fun for the entire family. Make plans now to join us next week, May 1-5.
Once again more than 70 BBQ competition teams from across the U.S. will compete in this event, one of the largest sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

The signature concert Friday night will be The New Familiars, Americana Rock fixtures and North Carolina natives. On Saturday afternoon is a new fun event, the Hogway Speedway Racing Pigs from Newton. Cute pigs will race in four heats during the afternoon.

The festival, sponsored by Smithfield, will have more than 100 arts & crafts vendors, concerts, a 5K walk/run, fireworks and a People’s Choice wings and pork tasting. This year the Kannapolis Firefighter’s Association will be back, selling barbeque to the public.

As always this festival is free to the public. No pets please.

Thursday, May 3
1-5 p.m. BBQ Competition
4-7 p.m. Kannapolis Farmers Market Opening Day

Friday, May 4
5 p.m. Festival opens to the public: food, arts & crafts, carnival rides and more
6:30 p.m. – “Cars 3” movie at Veterans Park; bring a blanket or chair .
7-9 p.m. People’s Choice – Wings (while tickets last) at the N.C. Research Campus near the Core Lab; look for signs and the white tent
7 p.m. Flash Back Party Band
8:30 p.m. The New Familiars
9:45 p.m. Fireworks

Saturday, May 5
7 a.m. Kannapolis YMCA All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast, $5.
9 a.m. Festival Opens
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kid’s Zone Activities
10 a.m.- Zucchini 600 Pits open
Noon – Zucchini 600 Races Start
Carnival Rides, Inflatables, GoPro Motorplex Kids Car Displays
Noon-2 p.m. People’s Choice Pork Tasting (while supplies last). Proceeds benefit the Kannapolis Rotary Club.
Noon-5 p.m. – Hogway Speedway Racing Pigs
Noon-12:30 p.m. – Stepside Deluxe Concert
Noon-1:30 p.m. – BBQ Competition
3-5 p.m. – Bill Miller Band concert
5 p.m. – BBQ competition awards ceremony
5 p.m. – Festival ends

For more information visit www.jiggywiththepiggy.com