By Caitlin Marvin
Cherokee Living Magazine September/October 2007
Every little piggy in Cherokee County should forget the market or staying home and head to the First Annual Cherokee Pignic in Heritage Park! The Cherokee Pignic is an exciting two-day barbecue festival and competition to celebrate fall and determine who will reign as the regional barbecue champion. Local amateurs get their chance to shine in the Backyard Burners team competition. You can sample and judge these rookie contenders’ barbecue in the Lick Your Lips people’s-choice sampling tent. These teams will endure sleep deprivation and billowing smoke for a shot at a $1,200 purse, a Big Green Egg and the ultimate award—bragging rights.
Center stage belongs to the serious barbecue enthusiast, professional teams from across the region competing for a $10,000 purse and big-time barbecue bragging rights. The winner of this sanctioned Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) event (and traditional Southern blood sport) will be selected by certified KCBS judges (sorry public) using established criteria.
Barbecue not your thing? The Cherokee Pignic has plenty more to offer. The celebration will be on Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20 and is packed with plenty of fall family fun. on Friday, families can enjoy an outdoor movie along with a Halloween Costume contest. The Halloween costume contest begins at 7:30 p.m. for ages 10 and under and is free of charge. At dusk, the Film on the Farm will feature “Charlotte’s Web,” so don’t forget your blankets and lawn chairs. Vendors will also be selling a variety of foods, including fine barbecue.
Saturday brings more family fun for the piglets. “There’s something for every person and age group,” says Pam Carnes, president and CEO of Cherokee Chamber of Commerce. “Although it isn’t your traditional fair—no Ferris Wheels or merry-go-rounds—children can participate in a three-legged race and the greasy watermelon race. The more mature group can enjoy the antique tractor show and craft demonstrations.” Festival-goers can also look forward to Bluegrass musical performances to liven things up.
The KCBS, members of the 2007 Leadership Cherokee class and other community volunteers are working together to plan this event. “These events occur in communities all over the country, and only about five are in Georgia,” says Carnes. “Jimmy Mayo, of the Mayo Agency/Nationwide Insurance, one of the co-chairs of the event, thought it would be a lot of fun to bring the event into Cherokee.” He couldn’t be more right. After all, barbecue is a favorite of the South.
For those of you still considering going to the market, having roast beef or staying home, note that this event also takes pride in benefiting local charities. “As the Cherokee Pignic grows, it will generate profits,” explains Carnes. “It’s too early to tell how successful the Pignic will be, but non-profits can receive funding through an application process we have set up for the event.”
The Cherokee Pignic hopes to bring an element of excitement to your fall this year. “We think this event is going to be a lot of fun,” say Carnes. “We look forward to making the Cherokee Pignic an annual event.” Honestly, how could any little piggy turn down this fun-filled, charitable event?
About KCBS: The Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) is a non-profit organization for barbecue and grilling fanatics. With over 6,000 members, it is the largest organization of its kind. The KCBS holds more than 200 barbecue events across the U.S. each year.
CHEROKEE PIGNIC 2007
WHAT: Two-day KCBS barbecue event! Family and friends can take part in festival activities and great barbecue. Locals can also partake in a barbecue contest as part of the “Backyard Burners.”
WHO: Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Cherokee class members and alumni invite barbecue fanatics and families to attend the Cherokee Pignic.
WHEN: Friday, October 19 to Saturday, October 20.
WHERE: Heritage Park in Canton, located just minutes from I-575 and Downtown Canton.
WHY: For the love of barbecue, come to the Cherokee Pignic! Have fun, eat some great food and watch how the pros do barbecue.