KANNAPOLIS — Kannapolis will celebrate 10 years of the Jiggy with the Piggy Festival with a variety of fun events including a showcase Drone Show highlighting the city and Jiggy, a free concert by Craig Morgan and live pig racing.

The festival returns next week, May 2-5, to downtown Kannapolis.

For the first time ever in the Charlotte metro region, experience the excitement of a drone light show. More than 200 drones will create a display of geometric shapes, iconic imagery and tributes to the Jiggy with the Piggy event.

Powered by Firefly Drone Shows, you will witness artistry and design techniques featuring one of the brightest light show drones on the market. The drone show will take place at 9 p.m. on May 3, after the free Morgan concert.

Jiggy is one of the largest sanctioned events by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and once again will host more than 70 BBQ competition teams from 18 states, who will compete for top bragging rights and prize money.

The festival, which has been named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, will have more than 100 arts & crafts vendors, concerts, a 5K walk/run, fireworks and a People’s Choice pork tasting competition.

The Kannapolis Public Safety Assistance Foundation is back with its BBQ. More barbecue and food vendors have also been added so you can fill up on many varieties of festival food.

Jiggy with the Piggy Schedule of Events

Thursday, May 2

8 a.m.-5 p.m.: BBQ Competition Teams Arrive

4-7 p.m. Kannapolis Farmers Market Opens for the Season — corner of Dale Earnhardt Boulevard and Vance Avenue

6:30 p.m. — Jiggy with the Piggy 5K, part of the Run Kannapolis Series (Dress in a piggy related costume to win prizes). The run will be at the North Carolina Research Campus in downtown Kannapolis.

Friday, May 3

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — BBQ competition teams arrive

5 p.m. — Festival opens to the public — North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe

Food, arts and crafts, kids zone, carnival rides and more

6 p.m. — Pig race

7 p.m.  — Country music artist Craig Morgan performs the Jiggy Concert — North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe/free admission

9 p.m. — Drone show — Over 200 drones will create a mesmerizing display of geometric shapes, iconic imagery, and tributes to the Jiggy with the Piggy event.

9:30 p.m. – Festival closes

Saturday, May 4

7 a.m. -10:30 a.m. — Pancake breakfast — YMCA Kannapolis

9 a.m. – Jiggy festival opens to the public — North Carolina Research Campus horseshoe, food, arts and crafts, kids zone, music, carnival rides

Throughout the day, barbecue teams compete for top awards and money prizes.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Ninja Nation Obstacle Course

10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. — Pig races

Noon – 2 p.m. People’s Choice — Pork tasting (while supplies last) — North Carolina Research Campus Horseshoe

(Look for the signs and the white tent)

Proceeds benefit the Kannapolis YMCA, the Kannapolis Rotary Club and the Kannapolis Youth Council.

Festival attendees can purchase blocks of 10 samples for $10. Tickets will go on sale at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.

5 p.m. — Festival closes

Sunday, May 5

Throughout the day, barbecue teams compete for top awards and money prizes.

Online merchandise store launched. Purchase your Jiggy apparel and items and in our online Jiggy FanFest Store.

https://city-of-kannapolis.myspreadshop.com/.

This festival and concert are free to the public. No pets or smoking.

Go to https://www.kannapolisnc.gov/Community/Jiggy-With-the-Piggy/Schedule-of-Events for the Jiggy 2024 schedule and event parking map.