Event Information

The best BBQ competition in Georgia

Event Information for the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival

March 7-8, 2025 // Coolray Field, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Competition Overview

The 10th Annual Sip & Swine BBQ Competition will feature 2 days of BBQ competition with local vendors offering food & crafts to the public.

Charity Event

100% of the proceeds from Sip & Swine BBQ Festival goes to benefit The Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children's Shelter and the people they care for.

KCBS-Sanctioned Event

The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) is dedicated to the promotion & enjoyment of BBQ with over 16,000 members across the globe!

The Sip & Swine BBQ Festival is a great event for barbeque competitors and local visitors alike

There's a good reason that the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival has become not only the best local event in March, but also the premiere BBQ event in Georgia. It's because of you!

Competition Overview

Coolray Field has long been associated with special events since its opening in 2009.  Formerly known as Gwinnett Stadium, this 10,427-seat minor league baseball park in Lawrenceville, Georgia is the home field of the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.  Having worked with so many great organizations on so many wonderful events, Coolray Field is now taking on the world of competition BBQ.

The 9th Annual “Sip & Swine” BBQ Competition is a fully sanctioned national event with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS).  It will feature two days of Barbeque competition within a large competitor and vendor village located in the parking facilities of Coolray Field.  There will be numerous options for food and refreshments, live music performances, and will provide an overall family friendly, casual and fun atmosphere.

Competition categories include Chicken, Pork Ribs, Pork, and Beef Brisket.  The Backyard teams will compete in all categories barring Beef Brisket.  Only the Professional Teams, who are competing in all of the barbecue categories, are eligible for Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion awards.

All of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter:

Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter

3850 Tuggle Rd NE
Buford, GA 30519
(678) 546-8770

Home of Hope

Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter

For 36 years, Home of Hope has been committed to transforming the lives of homeless children. Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter is a private, non-profit 501©3 residential care facility that provides both long and short-term services to homeless children (0-17) and their young moms who find themselves in a homeless situation.

Our transitional program moves children and mothers from homeless to hopeful into a home of their own.  We serve children and mothers by setting them on a path to independence while keeping the family unit together.  Our program develops customized life plans for mothers that include mandatory employment, family savings goals, and life skills classes which will teach her how to maintain her household upon completion of our program.  Our children’s needs are met by first giving them a homelike environment where by are safe and loved and free to be kids.  We make sure they have their emotional, educational and physical needs met and then we watch them blossom.

Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS)

KCBS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, and is the world’s largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts, with over 16,000 members worldwide.

KSBS sanctions over 400 barbeque contests coast-to-coast throughout America.  From volunteering to actual event production, its members offer assistance to civic and charitable organizations who organize events.

KCBS serves as a clearing house of barbeque information which provides:

  • Networking with related trade associations and other contest-sanctions organizations
  • Tracking trends in barbeque related products and equipment
  • Teaming up with other food organizations and the media to promote barbeque

With KCBS’s library and extensive archive of barbeque related articles, they offer educational programs, consultation services, and civic organization presentations to help promote barbeque as America’s Favorite Cuisine.

Hotel Accommodations

SpringHill Suites Atlanta Buford/Mall of Georgia

3250 Buford Dr

Buford, GA 30519

678-714-2150

Email Chrissy Keheley at ckeheley@insurancehub.com for booking link. Agreed Rate is $139 per night.