Slated to take place in the shadow of Coolray Field March 4-5, 2022, the 7th Annual Sip & Swine BBQ promises so much more than heavenly aromas from dozens of smokers to fill the air in Lawrenceville. First launched in 2016 in an effort to raise funds for a local charity devoted to the well-being of homeless children and their young mothers, it’s only fitting that the same year that organizers predict will be the largest to date coincides with the 35th Anniversary of Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. Designed to put the “fun” in fundraising, 100% of the proceeds from the popular outdoor festival will benefit the nonprofit as guests enjoy free admission along with live music from a lineup of local musicians. The Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event will also include a wealth of opportunities to sample from food vendors, shop the wares from talented craft vendors and take part in a variety of family-friendly activities. The returning Grand Champion Sponsor for this year’s Sip & Swine Festival is Hendrick Automotive Group and the six dealerships it represents.
“Over the last six years, the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival has raised roughly $400,000 on behalf of Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter” said Jim Chairman of the Board of Directors at Home of Hope. Lloyd is also the organizer of the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival, as well as CEO of Lawrenceville-based InsuranceHub Leavitt Agency. “That’s not only a testament to Georgia’s fondness for great BBQ, but it also speaks volumes about the love and respect locals have for this incredible nonprofit and the work it is doing. In addition to serving as a residential care facility that exists to provide services for homeless children and their young mothers since 1987, Home of Hope also offers care and services for young women who are aging out of the foster care system. Based on the overwhelming response from BBQ teams and vendors, this will mark our largest festival to date. We fully expect a similar response from the public. That would be such a fitting tribute as Home of Hope celebrates 35 years of transforming children’s lives as they move from homeless to hopeful to a home of their own.”
While parking and admission to the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival are both free, proceeds from the open-air event are drawn from vendor and BBQ team participation fees, as well as the sale of raffle tickets to win a Big Green Egg and People’s Choice Taster Kits. With the purchase of a $12 taster kit, festival attendees will be able to enjoy nine randomly selected samples of BBQ from both Pro and Backyard teams, and then cast a vote for their favorite. Returning after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the People’s Choice BBQ Tasting will take place in the People’s Choice tent Saturday, March 5th from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm.
2022 Sip & Swine BBQ Festival Event Schedule:
To kick off the event, 80+ craft and 40 food vendors will sell their goods as 110+ BBQ competition teams get set up as toe-tapping tunes set the mood from 3 to 9 PM on Friday, March 4. Marking its third year, Sip & Swine welcomes back its Kids Q Competition for aspiring chefs aged 6 to 15. For a $25 entry fee, pint-sized pit masters will have an opportunity to compete, as well.
Larger crowds are expected the following day when popular local bands take the stage and the awards for both professional and amateur BBQ teams are bestowed. The schedule for the Sip & Swine Festival for Saturday, March 5 – including music lineup is:
10 AM – Event opens to public – including food and craft vendors, face painting, 4-person bungee jump, pet adoptions with Fur Kids and more
11 AM-12:15 PM – School of Rock – Buford performs
11:30 AM-1:30 PM – People’s Choice BBQ Tasting
12:30-1:45 PM – Chainsaw Hunnie performs
2-3:15 PM – Georgia Red Clay performs
3:30-5 PM – Pickup Line performs
5 PM – BBQ awards ceremony
6 PM – Event ends
“Home of Hope is so very grateful for the support of Jim and Cindy Lloyd through the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival,” said Maureen Kornowa, Executive Director for Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. “The heart of giving back is at the center of it all. We give because you all give.”
Coolray Field is located at 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. For additional information about the event or to sign on as a vendor, sponsor or volunteer, please visit www.sipandswine.com. To learn more about Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter or make a direct donation online, please visit www.homeofhopegcs.org.