By BECKY CRISSMAN
With STAFF REPORTS
becky.crissman@gaflnews.com
VIENNA — Swine time is here again! Everyone is invited to join the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce as it celebrates “Hogaween Town” at the 27th annual BIG PIG JIG.
More than 117 teams from across the Southeast have gathered in BBQ City, U.S.A. for the largest Memphis Barbecue Network sanctioned contest in the world!
Teams are busy setting up to prepare their succulent pork presentations to be tasted by more than 150 judges of distinction from across the United States.
When the sun goes down, the dust settles to the ground and the big cloud of smoke clears the air, more than $12,500 in cash plus trophies will be awarded to some of the country’s leading cooks branding them the “Best of the Best.”
One team will receive the coveted Georgia Grand Champion title.
It all began Thursday night with Halloween festivities for the kids. Parents brought their little ghosts and ghouls to trick or treat at Pig Jig Village. There were games and activities and a costume contest. Dockside opened the entertainment and Backroads heated it up.
Today there are specialty food vendors, children’s activities, and crafts and collectible booths opening at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m. the Miss Jiggy Piggy contest will be held under the Dooly County Livestock Association Show Barn.
Cooking teams will be working hard to get their entries perfected and ready for the judges on Saturday. When the stars come out Friday night, Rhythm Nation will take the stage for a performance.
This band appeals to a wide audience as the group performs music ranging from Aretha Franklin and James Brown all the way up to Billboard’s top hits of today.
Festivities will continue at BBQ City, U.S.A. on Saturday, Nov. 1 with a full line-up of activities to last throughout the day and into the night. All cooking entries will be complete and the judges’ stomachs will be filled as they sample dish after dish of delicious barbecue.
There will be a variety of specialty food vendors including two time World Champion Jack’s Old South with their world class barbecue.
Also on the site will be an array of arts & crafts vendors carrying items such as handmade quilts, antiques, wood crafts, silver jewelry, leather goods, wicker products and candles. Children’s activities will continue on Saturday with the rock wall, bungee station, moon walk, giant slide and much more.
A fast growing favorite for patrons of the Big Pig Jig is the “Taste of the Jig” to be held at the Alfred Hawkins Pavilion. This will be the people’s opportunity to taste the competition barbecue.
For $5 spectators will get the opportunity to sample some of the best barbecue in the country from 12 noon to 2 p.m. or until the meat runs out!
The Dooly Livestock Association will be selling “pork burgers” and a menu full of other delicious food items. That group will also be hosting the Pre-Club Hog Show featuring children ages 2-5 and the 4-H and FFA Market Hog Show as well as a goat show. Once those shows are complete, the Livestock Association invites everyone to watch the Georgia Bulldogs play the Florida Gators on a widescreen TV.
Winners of the various competitions will be announced and accept their awards beginning at 7 p.m. Once the Grand Champion has been named, the stage will come alive with the Michael Stacey band.
