Wings & Bacon Night Added to Hogs for the Cause
This year, COVID-19 is not getting the best of the annual Hogs for the Cause event. This two-day event will be held this year June 4 – 5, 2021 at a new location in Belle Chasse. The event has changed locations and changed up the cook-off competition by adding a new category. This year there will be a chicken wing category added to the team’s competition. The opening night will now be called “Wings and Bacon Night.”
Hogs for the Cause is one of New Orlean’s festivals that not only has a cook-off but raises money to support families dealing with pediatric brain cancer. In 2019 (2020’s festival was cancelled), $2 million was raised for these families. In fact, Hogs for the Cause has become the leading funder for this important cause. The festival is one of New Orleans’ biggest annual food events.
The cook-off is made up of teams that compete for fundraising totals and food awards, and they sell a dizzying array of snacks and dishes for the festival attendees. Patrons can purchase the food at the team’s booths and camps.
Bacon night (opening night) has been part of the festival for the last four years and is many patrons’ favorite part of the two-day festival. Over two tons of this delicacy is served during the Bacon competition and is presented by Irpino, Avin, and Hawkins this year.
As part of the opening night, the founders decided to add the chicken wing competition this year. The competition, presented by Tabasco, will be called “Just Wingin’ It” and will allow teams to offer patrons their spin on chicken wings dishes.
Even though this festival is known as one of the largest in the city, it will be limited to 250 people this year. They will follow Lousiana’s state rules for festival capacity for social distancing and add new protocols for COVID-19 safety. Event-goers will have a temperature check and other screenings before entering the festival. Tech-enabled wristbands will reduce contact at the box office, and vending booths.
Hogs for the Cause will be back to one of the leading fundraisers in the area this year. Co-Founders Rene Louapre and Becker Hall said they’re are keeping a tight focus on the fundraising mission while limiting the size of the event and adding new protocols for coronavirus safety.
