Lakeland Florida - Annual Pig Fest at Joker Marchant Stadium
Where in the world around this time of the year would you find the best barbeque? Ready for food, entertainment for the whole family to enjoy! Then look no further and come' on down to the 2009 Lakeland Pig Festival on January 30th - 31st, 2009.
A tad bit of history lesson! It started all in 1994 when a small group of local businessmen attended the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Tyron, N.C. to watch a barbeque championship. From then on, a festival committee was established and Lakeland's Pig Festival welcomed its first barbeque competitors in 1997. Since then, professional teams and backyard teams travel great distances to compete separate in now five different categories in Ribs (loin and spare), Pork (shoulder and butt), Chicken, Brisket (beef) and Sauce. The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Professional Competition and Judging School considers Lakeland's Pig Fest to be one of the finest events sanctioned by KCBS. Lakeland's annual Pig Fest held at Joker Marchant Stadium has since then grown to over 300 Barbeque Teams competing for prize money and attendance growing quickly each year.
The Junior League of Greater Lakeland became in 2005 the lead organizer for this great event and they do an outstanding job providing volunteers to see that this free event is run smoothly. The event in itself is free, such as the concerts - as you walk towards the gate, let me suggest you buy "Pig Dollars" near the entrance for food and drinks and also some for your kids, since I'm sure they want to take part in arts & crafts, climbing and jumping. Don't worry if you run out of the "Pig Dollars or "Pig Bucks", there are various locations throughout the area for you to buy more.
I have been attending this free event with my family since it first started, it is by far one of the best events with regards to food, entertainment and activities for young and old - not to mention the great weather we have this time around in Lakeland Florida. Where else in the world are you getting the best tasting barbeque you'll taste this year? Besides my husband's great tasting ribs ...... right here at the annual Pig Festival in Lakeland, Florida next to the Joker Marchant Stadium which is also known as the location for the Detroit Tigers Baseball Spring Training Stadium.
Besides the scrumptious barbeque and sauces, they also offer some great desserts, such as strawberry shortcakes - Folks, if you haven't noticed yet - here in Florida we are in Strawberry season!
Bring your kids, grand-kids, your grandma and grandpa, visit and eat some of the best barbeque on January 31, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. January 31st from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Click here for a complete schedule for this event. There will be a free concert by Atlanta Rhythm Section on Friday night - check it out!
So Mark Your Calendar and I'll see you there - Have fun!
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Lakeland Florida - Annual Pig Fest at Joker Marchant Stadium
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Petra, this festival sounds like tremendous fun if even only for the great food like the barbeque. If you go, enjoy your time with it.
Gary - Every time the opportunity presents itself where I can get out of cooking dinner :) - I'm there and I surely will be there as well with my family, grandkids and camera. You don't want to miss it if you're in town.
I'm almost speechless. I've lived in Daytona Beach for my entire life, and never knew about Lakeland's Pig Fest. O_O You mentioned the strawberries though, and I have been to the Strawberry Festival. I've also been to the Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival, and the Crescent City Catfish Festival. I guess you know you're in the south when....
Hi Petra...Wish I could be there...it sounds like a lot of good food and fun. Strawberries....mmm and Ice Cream I hope. At our Annual Saanich Fair, a local Farmer is always there with Strawberries and Blueberries he picks that morning and of course ice cream added by his lovely wife.
Lisa - It's about time you come' on over here to Lakeland and enjoy great food and entertainment.
Fred - I remember when I was a kid, I used to go into the local forest and picked blueberries myself. By the time I got home, they were all gone - can you guess who ate them?
Hi Petra....mmm let me guess Little Red Ridding Hood?
Yummm Petra. This looks like a great community endeavor. Barbeque is king in North Carolina. I think I'll look into this!
Vicki - Check it out, it is one of the most visited event here in Lakeland - not to mention the great food.
This will be the first year that I am planning to attend. I'm really looking forward to it! I appreciate your Blogs Petra and hope to see you at the Pig Fest!!
Dan - Great to see you commenting on my blog, hope everything is going well with you. Hope to catch you there with all the folks expected to be at the Pig Fest.