Barbecue lovers rejoice! Hogs for the Cause, one of the largest barbecue cook-offs in the nation, will take place at a new date and location after a Covid hiatus in 2020. The festival will be held June 4 and 5 at a 15-acre outdoor space in Belle Chasse that’s part of the Plaquemines Parish Government Facility.
Performers this year include Robert Randolph and the Family Band featuring The Soul Rebels and Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, The Iceman Special, and more to be announced. Old Crow Medicine Show, Andy Frasco & The UN, Travers Brothership, Sweet Crude and others are also slated to perform.
“To keep it safe for our fans, staff, teams, and artists, things are going to look a little different this year,” said co-founders Becker Hall and Rene Louapre in an email statement.
Hogs for the Cause brings together pitmasters, music acts, and thousands of attendees as a fundraiser for families confronting pediatric brain cancer. Since 2009 Hogs for the Cause has raise over $1.5 Million in direct grants to families battling pediatric and another $2.2 Million to hospital programs and charities nationwide. The event was among the first festivals to cancel in 2020 at the outset of the pandemic and the move from its traditional home at the UNO Arena this year was necessitated by that site’s use as a mass testing center for COVID-19,
The organization states: “All guests, staff, and artists will be expected to follow current safety policy, including wearing face coverings, temperature checks, and screenings. Hogs for the Cause has implemented measures that exceed all recommended guidelines by state and local health organizations to create a safe environment. We will routinely update our safety policy on the advice of our partners at Childrens Hospital New Orleans and LCMC Health, Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, State of Louisiana, and Plaquemines Parish.”
Ticket sales are limited to 25% of the capacity restrictions, far below the state recommended 50% limit. Should the event be canceled due to change in Louisiana’s phase status, all tickets will be refunded.Tickets are on sale now at HogsFest.org.
