The Stage is Set for Second Annual Sip & Swine BBQ Festival at Coolray Field
Staff Report From Metro Atlanta CEO
Wednesday, March 1st, 2017
Good things happen when you bring great food and great craft beer together for a great cause. The Second Annual Sip & Swine BBQ Festival is set to do just that on March 3 and 4 at Coolray Field. Designed to benefit Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter with 100% of the proceeds, the event raised more than $60K for the local nonprofit during the festival’s inaugural year in 2016. Serving as Title Sponsor, Lawrenceville-based InsuranceHub hopes to raise the bar on the fun, flavor and funds factor during this year’s event.
“For us, it’s all about corporate responsibility and giving back to the community that has supported our company for more than 30 years,” said Jim Lloyd, President of InsuranceHub and board member for Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. “As a residential care facility that provides services for homeless children up to 17 years of age along with their young mothers, teaching them valuable life skills and serving as the next step towards independence, Home of Hope affords us an opportunity to impact the lives of two generations at one time. In addition to our role as Title Sponsor, most of our employees will be at Sip & Swine serving as volunteers to a truly worthwhile cause.”
Joining InsuranceHub in the role of Sip & Swine sponsors are Pitmaster level sponsors: Brand Properties, SEI Group and Eagle Rock Distributing Company. In addition to an excellent lineup of sponsors, the festival will feature hundreds of volunteers, 100 barbecue competition teams, 50+ food and craft vendors, and music on Friday evening plus local bands throughout the day on Saturday. Live performances include Georgia Red Clay from 1-3 p.m. and Laughlin from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday. Barbecue competition teams will include a blend of pro teams from all over the country and “backyard” teams – featuring a number of local businesses vying for the title of Grand Champion.
Sip & Swine BBQ Festival Dates and Times: 3-10pm on Friday, March 3
11-6pm on Saturday, March 4
Location: Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive NE, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Admission: FREE to the Public
People’s Choice Judging: To take part in the judging, visitors can purchase a People’s Choice Taster Kit for $10 each – affording them nine samples + a chance to cast their vote for best barbecue. Available Saturday March 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Parking: Coolray Field with overflow at North Metro Church