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 28th Annual Lakeland Pigfest returns Friday, Jan. 24 + Saturday, Jan. 25 at the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus.

The two-day extravaganza kicks off the 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 try 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.

Bringing world-class BBQ to the masses isn’t the only goal of Pigfest. Since its inception in 1997, the festival has raised over $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 next month:

Grills Gone Wild | Davenport, FL | Feb. 7-8
Ribs on the Ridge | Haines City, FL | Feb. 14-15

Bonus: Think your secret sauce recipe has what it takes? There’s still time to register for these contests.

Risk it for the briskethttps://6am-city.typeform.com/to/qld38VsK