The World’s Largest Whole Hog Cook-off!

Family Fun

Carnival Rides, Live Music, Kid Zone, Disney Character Meet & Greet, Helicopter Tours, Bike Show, Car Show, More Than 150 Vendors, Dance Demonstrations, Beer/Wine/Spirits Garden, And More!

Schedule:

May 2, 2024

Pre Bbq Fest Partner Event

1:00pm - Caswell Foundation 23rd Annual Golf Tournament - Falling Creek Country Club

5:00pm - 10:00pm - R&D Amusements - Carnival in Pearson Park Downtown Kinston

May 3, 2024

BBQ Fest on the Neuse open to the public from 5pm - 10pm

8:00am - 3:00pm - Vendor Arrival & Setup

12:00pm - Arrival and Setup of Wil King Hog Happenin’ Cook Teams (Corner of Caswell and Herritage Streets)

Contact: Tammy Kelly, Chair - 919-495-1116

4:30pm - Opening Ceremony G.I. Joe’s/SALUTE (Herritage Street Stage)

5:00pm - BBQ Fest on the Neuse opens to the public

- Carnival by R & D Amusements (Pearson Park)

- Vendors Open (150+)

- Cruise-In for vehicles 1999 and older

- Coastal Plains Bikers for Christ 2nd Annual Bike Show

- Kids Fest - Flimsy’s Fun Zone - Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation

- Wine, Beer & Spirits Garden Openscar

5:00pm - 10:00pm - Helicopter Rides by Total Flight Solutions

6:00pm - Welcome & Announcement of Cook Teams & Sponsors

7:00pm - Country Artist Jake Sutton (Herritage Street Stage)

8:30pm - Nashville Recording Artist Joe Nichols (Herritage Street Stage)

May 4, 2024

BBQ Fest on the Neuse open to the public from 10am-7pm

Herritage Street Stage Area

9:00am

- Leave 99 Gospel Group

- Vendors Open (150+)

- Carolina Classic Car Show Registration

- Coastal Plains Bikers for Christ 2nd Annual Bike Show

- CSS Neuse Museum Free Day 100 N. Queen Street

- CSS Neuse II Tours

- Farmers Market Opens - Celebrity Guests

10:00am - British Invaders

10:00am - 7:00pm

- Vendor Market Opens (More than 150 vendors)

- Beer, drinks, and water - Inside Chop Tent

- Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden Open

- Carnival/Amusements Open

- Special Shopping, Dining & Attraction Events

11:00am - BBQ sales until sold out (Sandwiches and by the pound only)
(BBQ Chop Tent - Herritage St. across from farmers market)

12:00pm - Kinston Mayor’s Golden Key Award Ceremony

1:00pm - 1:30pm - Wil King Hog Happenin’ Awards Presentation

2:00pm - 4:00pm - No Quarter Brass Band

4:00pm - Carolina Classic Cruisers Car Show Awards Presentation - Parking lot by Chef & the Farmer

4:00pm - 6:00pm - DJ

7:00pm - BBQ Fest Closes

Pearson Park Stage Area

10:00am - 7:00pm

Flimsy’s Dance Party & Fun Zone at Pearson Park

- Dances, games, Mother’s Day crafts, live music and more!

- Bounce houses, giant slides, dunk tank, basketball game, cotton candy machine

10:00am - 7:00pm

- Helicopter Rides by Total Flight Solutions

- Kinston Fire Department Fire Safety & Fire Truck Exhibit

- Special Shopping, Dining & Attraction Events

10:00am - 2:00pm

Disney Prince and Princess Character Meet & Greet

- Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Ursula, Rapunzel, Prince Charming, Prince Charming’s Steward, Gaston, Lumiere, King (Prince Charming’s Father) and more!

10:00am

- Dance Entertainment

- Kids Arts Tents

11:00am - Dance Entertainment

12:15pm - Dance Entertainment

Pearson Park Stage Area

10:00am - 7:00pm

Flimsy’s Dance Party & Fun Zone at Pearson Park

- Dances, games, Mother’s Day crafts, live music and more!

- Bounce houses, giant slides, dunk tank, basketball game, cotton candy machine

10:00am - 7:00pm

- Helicopter Rides by Total Flight Solutions

- Kinston Fire Department Fire Safety & Fire Truck Exhibit

- Special Shopping, Dining & Attraction Events

10:00am - 2:00pm

Disney Prince and Princess Character Meet & Greet

- Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Ursula, Rapunzel, Prince Charming, Prince Charming’s Steward, Gaston, Lumiere, King (Prince Charming’s Father) and more!

10:00am

- Dance Entertainment

- Kids Arts Tents

11:00am - Dance Entertainment

12:15pm - Dance Entertainment

ART & ENTERTAINMENT AREA

10:00am - 7:00pm

- Indoor Arts Market at the Kinston Community Council for the Arts (400 N Queen Street)

- Art 105 Art Market (105 W Blount)

- Special Shopping, Dining & Attraction Events

- DJs

- Kinston Shags

Post BBQ Fest Partner Events

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Horsing Around for the Arts - Ticketed Event $100 - Reverse Drawing for the Community Council for the Arts.

Date: May 3 - 4, 2024

Location:

Various Venue in Kinston, NC 28501

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