There’s a very special event coming up, one that our InsuranceHub team has been looking forward to for a very long time! We’re talking about the third annual Sip & Swine BBQ Festival at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. We’re getting excited about having a great time at the festival. The event will be held this March 2nd – March 3rd. (It’s a Friday and Saturday event, but it opens to the public at 3 p.m. on Friday the 2nd.)
InsuranceHub is not only happy but honored to be this year’s Grand Champion Sponsor. Lots of our employees will be coming out to volunteer at the festival and run our InsuranceHub booth – and we’re going to break out our fancy Spinning Wheel of Prizes!
But you’re probably wondering what we’re getting so excited about. We’ll explain.
What is the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival?
Sip & Swine is a barbeque festival where people come together to enjoy some fantastic barbeque, listen to some great music, and enjoy tasty treats from food vendors. But the fun doesn’t end there – it’s also a barbeque competition that’s sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). The KCBS sanctions over 400 barbeque festivals across the country, so Sip & Swine is the real deal.
Here’s how it works:
Teams come out to compete to see who cooks the best barbeque. There are two divisions – Backyard teams (for amateur barbeque competitors) and the Pros (for professional barbeque competition teams.) Within those two divisions, there are three different categories: Chicken, Pork, and Pork Ribs. The Pros compete in a fourth category as well: Beef Brisket. This year, there will be over 90 teams competing!
Where is Sip & Swine?
Coolray Field
2500 Buford Dr. NE
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
How much is admission?
Admission is free. That’s right – free! But you may want to bring some spending money for food from the vendors who will be at the event.
What else goes on at Sip & Swine?
There will be live music throughout the festival – last year’s Sip & Swine Festival featured bands like Red Georgia Clay and McLaughlin. And, of course, there will be food. Lots of food. If you or someone in your family isn’t the biggest barbeque fanatic, no problem – the vendors will be selling all sorts of delightful snacks, so chances are you’ll be able to find something delicious.
There’s also the People’s Choice Contest. On Saturday the 3rd from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, you’ll be able to buy a People’s Choice Taster Kit for $10. The Taster Kit features nine samples from different teams, and you get to vote for your favorite! So the determination of “best barbeque” isn’t just up to the judges – attendees get to have their say, too!
Why do we have Sip & Swine?
The Sip & Swine BBQ Festival benefits a local nonprofit, The Home of Hope @ Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. All proceeds from the festival go to the organization. The nonprofit’s mission is to help homeless mothers and their children by providing a safe, nurturing home while also providing the resources the mothers need to get back on their feet. Home of Home @ GCS creates a customized life plan for each mom to help her become independent. It’s a really great cause, one that we’re happy to support. Sip & Swine helps Home of Home @ GCS further their goal of changing the lives of these young families, and we’re proud to be a part of it.
So, now that we’ve explained what Sip & Swine is all about and the great cause that it benefits, we’d like to welcome you to come out to the festival. Grab your family and friends and walk around the event. Eat some barbeque, listen to some music, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and fun. Your support will be greatly appreciated by the Home of Hope @ GCS.
For more information, please visit the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival website.