Championship and Community Celebration Add to Raleigh Christmas Parade Festivities
RALEIGH, NC—The North Carolina Pork Council (NCPC) announced today the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Championship BBQ sales have been rescheduled for November 20-21, 2015 in conjunction with the Raleigh Christmas Parade. At the end of the parade route, attendees will find food and more fun, officially kicking off the holiday season.
The Whole Hog Barbecue Championship, which culminates with barbecue being sold to the public, will be held at the corner of Fayetteville and Lenoir Streets allowing the public to watch the teams compete, beginning on the evening of Nov. 20 and continuing with judging the morning of Nov. 21 as the Raleigh Christmas Parade kicks off. The event will end with a community celebration, local celebrity visits and Championship barbecue sales benefitting the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.
“We were disappointed to postpone the Championship when inclement weather affected the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival,” said Ann Edmondson, director of communications and marketing, NCPC. “Our cooks were looking forward to it and our charitable partner Inter-Faith Food Shuttle was counting on the barbecue sales proceeds. We’re thrilled to team up with the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association and Shop Local Raleigh to make an awesome Raleigh event even better!”
“The Raleigh Christmas Parade is a wonderful community event and we could not be more delighted to have the Whole Hog Championship and additional events being added,” said Jennifer Martin, executive director, Shop Local Raleigh. “As a day filled with family friendly activities, entertainment, good food and two of NC’s favorite traditions, this will be an event to be talked about for years to come.”
The North Carolina Pork Council (NCPC) sponsors and sanctions the state championship hog cook-off, oversees team qualification and selects certified judges. Headquartered in Raleigh, the NCPC supports and represents the state’s pork-production industry.
In the six months prior to the October championship, local competitive cooking contests have attracted an estimated 100,000 barbecue lovers, mostly across Eastern North Carolina. Between 25-30 teams will be on-site in downtown Raleigh to showcase their expertise.
“It’s been a great year for the Whole Hog Barbecue Series, with delicious barbecue being cooked and sold, raising thousands of dollars for charities and organizations across North Carolina,” continued Edmondson. “November’s championship will showcase tough competitors who are ready to take on the title of Champion. We hope Raleigh Christmas Parade participants and attendees will join us to watch the competition, and enjoy the special extra events we’re planning.”
Initial details for the Whole Hog Championship, Raleigh Christmas Parade and Community Caroling include:
| DAY | TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| Friday, Nov. 20 | 7 pm | Whole Hog Championship Kickoff | 15 West Lenoir Street |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 8:45 am | Whole Hog Championship Judging | 15 West Lenoir Street |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 9 am | Raleigh Christmas Parade | Hillsborough & Fayetteville Streets |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | Noon until | Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Barbecue Sale (Sandwiches and Quarts to go) |
15 West Lenoir Street |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | Noon until | Community Celebration Event | 15 West Lenoir Street |
More details and events will be added in the coming weeks.
