Do you smell that? It’s the sacred combination of tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices colliding with juicy and tender, slow-cooked meats to create one of the South’s greatest simple pleasures: BBQ.

The 29th Annual Lakeland Pigfest returns to the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus on Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 24

The two-day extravaganza kicks off the second annual Florida Triple Crown of BBQ, a series of three competitions throughout Central Florida where both professional and amateur chefs vie for the prestigious Triple Crown title (and up to $1,500 in cash prizes).

Pigfest attracts 150+ competition teams, and attendees have the first chance to taste what could become a Triple Crown winner.

So, grab a package of hand wipes and leave your white t-shirts at home, because we’ve got all of the details for a sweet + spicy weekend.

🎟️ Know before you go

Admission is $5 (free for kids 12 and under) with free public parking
Exchange cash for Pig Bucks to purchase food from 150+ vendors and support local non-profit organizations and charities
Enjoy live music and family-friendly activities

🏆 Pigfest history

Pigfest is one of the largest BBQ competitions in the Southeast, and the biggest Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event in Florida.

Plus: Bringing world-class BBQ to the masses isn’t Pigfest's only goal. Since its inception in 1997, Pigfest has raised more than $2 million in charitable donations to the Lakeland community.

🐖 Taste the competition

If Pigfest leaves your mouth watering for more, there are two Triple Crown events happening this spring:

Ribs on the Ridge | Haines City, FL | Feb. 20-21
Pitmasters in Paradise | Auburndale, FL | April 24-25

Bonus: Think you've got the secret sauce? There’s still time to register for these contests.

Risk it for the brisket