Jiggy with the Piggy Festival is a longstanding favorite in Kannapolis and returns May 2 to 5, 2024. It features the Jiggy 5K, over 100 arts & crafts vendors, free concerts, a People’s Choice pork tasting, and for the first time in the Charlotte area, a drone show.
Over 100 Kansas City Barbeque Society judges will be here to judge the best barbeque in the land as teams from across the U.S. compete for significant prize monies.
The headlining musical performer will be country artist Craig Morgan.
Check out this big list of spring festivals in the Charlotte area!
It takes place in the North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe, 150 N Research Campus Drive, Kannapolis.
The festival is free, but there are costs for food, rides, etc. The main day for the festival is Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 9 to 5 p.m. It’s free to attend, but there are costs for rides, food, etc.
Here are the highlights of the festival.
Thursday, May 2
- 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – BBQ Competition Teams Arrive
- 4-7 p.m. Kannapolis Farmers Market Opens for the Season – corner of Dale Earnhardt Boulevard & Vance Avenue
- 6:30 p.m. – Jiggy with the Piggy 5K, part of the Run Kannapolis Series (Dress in a piggy related costume to win prizes). The run will be at the North Carolina Research Campus in Downtown Kannapolis.
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, Kids Zone, Carnival Rides, and More - 6 p.m. – Pig Race
- 7 p.m. – Country Music Superstar Craig Morgan Performs the Jiggy Concert – North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe/Free Admission
- 9 p.m. – Drone Show – Over 200 drones will create a mesmerizing display of geometric shapes, iconic imagery, and tributes to the Jiggy with the Piggy event.
- 9:30 p.m. – Festival Closes
Saturday, May 4
- 7 a.m. -10:30 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast – YMCA Kannapolis
- 9 a.m. – Jiggy Festival Opens to the Public – North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe
Food, Arts & Crafts, Kids Zone, Music, Carnival Rides - Throughout the day barbeque teams compete for top awards and money prizes.
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Ninja Nation Obstacle Course
- 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. – Pig Races
- Noon – 2 p.m. People’s Choice – Pork Tasting (while supplies last) – North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe — Festival attendees can purchase blocks of ten (10) samples for $10. Tickets will go on sale at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.
- 5 p.m. – Festival Closes
Sunday, May 5
- Throughout the day barbeque teams compete for top awards and money prizes.
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