Like a scene from the Wild West, the parking lot that surrounds Coolray Field will soon be filled with cowboys, townspeople, traveling musicians, artisans selling their wares, beer merchants, axe throwers, gem miners, a mechanical bull, and more. At the heart of the 9th Annual Sip & Swine BBQ Festival, a shootout between challenging meat-slingers will determine who will achieve the coveted honor of first place. Set for Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2, 100% of the proceeds from the two-day Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS)-sanctioned event will benefit Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter – a local charity devoted to the well-being of homeless children, their young mothers, and teens aging out of the foster care system. Hendrick Automotive Groupis the returning Grand Champion Sponsor for the 2024 Sip & Swine Festival. Its 96 locations – including nine dealerships in Georgia – represent 25 automotive brands in 13 states.
“We launched this event in 2016 and have witnessed its phenomenal growth each subsequent year,” said Jim Lloyd, former Chairman of the Board of Directors at Home of Hope, organizer of the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival, and CEO of Lawrenceville-based InsuranceHub Leavitt Agency. “This year will feature the talents of 110 competition teams representing a mix of both Backyard and Pro challengers from all over the country. Our popular KidQ competition returns for the 5th year – as aspiring chefs aged 6-15 show off their culinary skills. We also have 120 food and craft vendors lined up – with a waitlist of 200 more vying for a spot at the event. And we are proud to welcome four great bands to our stage to entertain guests on Saturday afternoon. In step with the event’s growth, so follows the increase in attendees and funds raised on behalf of Home of Hope. I can’t imagine a better match between a worthy cause and a community-focused event. Love, music, and the heavenly aroma from dozens of smokers will fill the air…
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