Jiggy with the Piggy 2019 returns bigger and better with the smells and tastes of barbeque and fun for the entire family. Make plans now to join us May 2-5 in downtown Kannapolis. The festival has been named a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society for attracting thousands of people for an exciting and memorable experience.
Once again we will host 60 barbeque competition teams. BBQ teams from across the U.S. will compete for thousands of dollars in the competition on the North Carolina Research Campus sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.
Our signature concert Friday night will be Country Music Great Joe Nichols. Multi-platinum recording artist Joe Nichols is one of country music’s most praised traditional country artists. His latest album NEVER GETS OLD features his new single “Billy Graham’s Bible,” and the title hit, “Never Grows Old.”
His career includes the album CRICKETS which debuted in the Top 3 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and spawned the two multi-week #1, RIAA gold-certified hits “Yeah” and “Sunny and 75.”
Nichols has six Number 1 hits and eight Top 10 singles to his credit, including chart-toppers like “Brokenheartsville,” “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” and “Gimmie That Girl,” and Top 10 smashes like “The Impossible,” “If Nobody Believed In You,” “What’s A Guy Gotta Do,” “Size Matters,” and “I’ll Wait For You.”
He is has been nominated four times for a Grammy and is the winner of the Academy of Country Music’s “Top New Male Vocalist” award, the CMT “Breakthrough Video of the Year” award and the prestigious “Horizon Award” from the Country Music Association.
Performing on Saturday will be Chase Bryant. One of the most prolific guitar players in today’s class of new Country artists, 26-year-old Chase Bryant was raised in Orange Grove, TX (pop. 1,200). Bryant’s grandfather played piano for Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings. His uncles cofounded the group Ricochet.
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 bringing their cooking skills to the festival and selling barbeque to the public. We have also added more barbeque and food vendors so you can fill up on many varieties of festival food.
We continue to have our events for children including the popular Zucchini 600. Children can build a racecar out of zucchini and race for prizes. Movies on Campus returns, sponsored by the 600 Festival, with Wreck-It Ralph 2.
As always this festival and the concerts are free to the public. No pets please.
Thursday, May 2
1-5 p.m. BBQ Competition Teams Arrive
4-7 p.m. Kannapolis Farmers Market – Opening Day
Zucchini 600 Pre-build workshop @ the Farmers Market
(We provide the zucchini & veggies – get tips and help building your racecar).
6:30 p.m. Jiggy with the Piggy 5K, Run Kannapolis Series. (Dress in a piggy related costume to win prizes).
Intimidators Baseball vs Hickory Crawdads – tickets@
intimidatorsbaseball.com
Friday, May 3
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. BBQ Competition Teams Arrive
5 p.m. Festival Opens to the Public - North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe
Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides, and More
6 p.m. – Wreck-It Ralph 2
Location: Veterans Park
Bring a blanket/chair and enjoy this fun family movie.
Sponsored by 600 Festival Association
Intimidators Baseball vs Hickory Crawdads – tickets@intimidatorsbaseball.com
6-8 p.m. People's Choice - Wings (while tickets last)
Location: N.C. Research Campus – near the Core Lab, N. Research Drive (Look for the signs and the white tent). Festival attendees can purchase blocks of ten (10) wings for $10. Proceeds benefit the Cannon Memorial YMCA to help fund local youth scholarships and programs.
7-9:45 p.m. Joe Nichols in Concert with Michael Cosner - North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe
(7-8 p.m. Michel Cosner/8:30-9:45 p.m. Joe Nichols)
9:45 p.m. Fireworks
Saturday, May 4
7 a.m. Kannapolis YMCA All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast - Admission is $5.
9 a.m. Festival Opens to the Public – North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe
Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides, and More
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Kid's Zone Activities
10 a.m.- Zucchini 600 Pits Open – we provide the zucchini and veggies. You bring the creative talent.
12 pm - Zucchini 600 Races Start
Carnival Rides, Inflatables, GoPro Motorplex Kids Car Displays
Noon – 2 pm People's Choice - Pork Tasting (while supplies last)
Location: Research Campus - Core Lab, N. Research Drive (Look for the signs and the white tent)
Proceeds Benefit the Kannapolis Rotary Club.
Festival attendees can purchase blocks of ten (10) samples for $10.
Noon - 1:30 p.m. - BBQ Competition Entry Turn-In
12:30-5 p.m. – Chase Bryant in concert with Diamonds & Whiskey and Corey Hunt
(12:30-2 p.m. Diamonds & Whiskey/ 2-3:30 p.m. Corey Hunt/ 3:30 p.m. Chase Bryant)
5 p.m. - BBQ Competition Awards Ceremony - The Laureate Center, Kannapolis City Hall
5 p.m. - Festival Ends
Intimidators Baseball vs Hickory Crawdads – tickets@
intimidatorsbaseball.com
Sunday, May 5
1-3 p.m. Jazz in the Park – Brian Burton Trio
Location: Veterans Park
Bring a blanket/chair