Follow your nose to the Pork in the Park BBQ Festival, sponsored by Gateway Subaru. Celebrating its 11thanniversary, this Eastern Shore staple will be served up May 9-11 in Salisbury, MD’s WinterPlace Park. The festival offers three days of family-friendly entertainment including live music, rides and games, unique craft vendors, delicious food and cold beverages. Admission is $7 daily for adults, and children under 12 are admitted free.
Pork in the Park continues to ramp up the action, bringing festival-goers a mix of new events and the return of fan favorites. To kick things off on Friday, the new You Be the Judge Experience* offers the public a chance to help decide the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) wings and sweets competition. Warner Music Nashville recording artist Charlie Worsham will headline the Rommel’s Harley-Davidson stage at 8:30 p.m. Known for his hit song “Want Me Too” and “Could It Be,” Worsham has shared stages across the country with Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley.
Saturday morning begins with a splash of color as Run or Dye, the world’s most colorful 5K, gets underway at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. The excitement continues back at the fairgrounds when the festival opens at 10 a.m. True barbeque fans can take advantage of the new VIP Experience* and enjoy access to the VIP tent adjacent to the stage, access to premiere restroom facilities, KCBS barbeque samples, beer samples, a whole hog cooking demonstration and samples and a gift bag. Southern rocker Jimmie Van Zant will headline the Rommel’s Harley-Davidson stage on Saturday night at 8 p.m. Influenced by the music of his cousins Ronnie, Donnie and Johnny Van Zant and their bands Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special, Jimmie Van Zant makes his mark with a soulful sound all his own.
On Sunday, in celebration of Mother’s Day, moms will receive $3 admission. The Eastern Shore Wing War sponsored by Mountaire Farms will return, pitting area restaurants, amateur eaters and professional eaters against one another in this trifecta challenge. Twelve area restaurants go head to head for the title of Best Wing in the People’s Choice Wing Competition. The Wing War culminates with a Major League Eating sanctioned Wing Eating Competition. World Champion Joey Chestnut will return to defend his title against other professional eaters including top-ranked female eaters Miki Sudo and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas. Sunday also marks the return of the annual Backyard BBQ Amateur Competition and Cornhole Tournament as well as the launch of a new Kids Q Competition.
For a complete weekend schedule, visit www.PorkinthePark.org. Hotel packages with discounted festival admission are also available online through May 1 with room rates beginning at $99.
*You Be the Judge Experience: $20 / VIP Experience: $35. You Be the Judge and VIP Experiences must be purchased in advance. Availability is limited, so tickets are sold on a first come basis.
Pork in the Park BBQ Festival
www.PorkinthePark.org / 1.800.332.TOUR
Admission $7 Daily / Children Under 12 Free
Friday, May 9: 4 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 10: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, May 11: 12 – 5 p.m.
