After raising a record-breaking $110k to benefit children in need in 2025, event organizers aim to hike the “bar” a little higher on a beloved barbecue competition this year. When amateur, junior, and professional BBQ contestants fire up their smokers in the shade of Metro Atlanta’s Coolray Field, thousands of guests are expected to attend the 11^th Annual Sip & Swine BBQ Festival on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, 2026. As in years past, 100% of the proceeds from this two-day Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS)-sanctioned event will benefit Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. Between its inception and last year’s event, the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival had raised over $1M for the local charity devoted to the well-being of homeless children and their young mothers. And, once again, the dedicated team at Hendrick Automotive Group will serve as the event’s Grand Champion Sponsor. As the heavenly aroma of smoked BBQ fills the air, so will the sounds from a rockin’ lineup of live bands. There will also be a large assortment of food and beverage vendors on hand, a craft vendor village to explore, and a family-friendly atmosphere to enjoy with FREE PARKING and FREE ADMISSION. 

“While 2026 marks our 11^th year and we’ve gained the approval of the esteemed Kansas City Barbecue Society, as crazy as it sounds, local folks are still learning about our event,” said Chrissy Keheley, Home of Hope Board Member, co-organizer of the Sip & Swine BBQ Festival, and Associate Vice President of Lawrenceville-based InsuranceHub Leavitt Agency. “That’s the price of being in one of the hottest cities in the Southeast – there are always fun happenings throughout the city from one weekend to the next. But word continues to spread about Sip & Swine, and we always get rave reviews from attendees. This year, we have a competition team joining us all the way from the Republic of Estonia! Beyond the fact that our festival is free to attend, we know our guests appreciate that we’re celebrating competition BBQ in a fun-filled festival setting while raising funds and awareness for Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter – an organization that’s dedicated to changing lives two generations at a time. So, beyond attending the festival, we ask all our previous attendees to help us spread the word so we can draw the largest crowds on record.” 

The 2026 Sip & Swine BBQ Festival will showcase the talents of 100 competition teams, representing a mix of both Backyard and Pro challengers from all over the country. Categories include Chicken, Pork, Ribs, and Brisket for the Pro Teams. Prizes range from $100 for People’s Choice to $750 for the Backyard Grand Champion to $2500 for the Professional Grand Champion. The popular KidQ competition returns for the 7^th year, as aspiring chefs aged 6-15 show off their culinary skills. To entertain crowds, the festival will also feature live music on the main stage and 125 food and craft vendors presenting local art, clothing, home goods, and more. 

Proceeds from competition fees, vendor fees, raffle ticket sales, and the purchase of People’s Choice Taster Kits support Home of Hope’s mission to strengthen children, youth, and families in crisis by providing a broad array of counseling and supportive services in a safe and nurturing environment. People’s Choice Taster Kits can be purchased for just $15 each in the People’s Choice Tent on Saturday, March 7. While supplies last between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., People’s Choice participants will get to sample from nine randomly selected competitors while supplies last and share their pick for their personal favorite.  

2026 Sip & Swine BBQ Festival Event Schedule:

Music will fill the air to kick off the event as craft and food vendors sell their goods and BBQ competition teams set up from 3 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 6. 

The schedule for the Sip & Swine Festival on Saturday, March 7, is:

10 AM – Event opens to the public – including food, beer, and craft vendors; Kids Zone with face painting, gem mining, teddy bear stuffing, bounce house, and more; activities like caricatures, axe throwing, and mechanical bull riding; and a rockin’ lineup of musicians.

11 AM-12:15 PM – The Midland Station Band performs

11:30 AM-1:30 PM – People’s Choice BBQ Tasting 

12:30-1:45 PM – The Jonathan Ingram Band performs 

2-3:15 PM – Under The Wheel performs 

3:30-5 PM – Dock Rock Radio performs

5 PM – BBQ awards ceremony

6 PM – Event ends

Coolray Field is located at 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. For additional information about the event, please visit www.sipandswine.com. To learn more about Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter or make a direct donation online, please visit www.homeofhopegcs.org.