Hogs for the Cause kicks off this weekend. It’s a barbecue competition, a music festival, a food festival, and much more all rolled into one according to NOLA.com food writer Ian McNulty. More importantly, it has grown into the most important fundraiser for those dealing with pediatric cancer in the entire country.
“It’s essentially a great southern food Never-Never Land for the weekend. It’s sort of like being invited to 90 different parties in the same place,” McNulty emphasized.
Hogs for the Cause started as a one-off pig roast to help out one family going through the stress of dealing with pediatric cancer. That has morphed into an organization that now houses roughly 90 smaller organizations adding their own fundraising totals for charity. Those smaller “organizations” are actually the teams competing for barbecue supremacy this weekend.
The festivities kick off Friday afternoon at the UNO Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds at 6801 Franklin Avenue and will feature live music, entertainment for all ages, and food that ranges far beyond bbq.
“These teams are competing for barbecue awards, but they’re selling anything delicious that can be smoked, skewered, wrapped in bacon and more to the festival crowd. There’s a lot of wild food out there,” adds McNulty.
While it’s a great time for locals and visitors alike, the most important aspect of Hogs for the Cause is how impactful it is for the families dealing with pediatric cancer. Several of the competing cooking teams regularly raise six figures each year and McNulty expects the beautiful weather this weekend to bring huge crowds and plenty of generosity to the Fairgrounds.
The annual event has become a NOLA institution
The annual event has become a NOLA institution
