Pigz In Z'Hills BBQ & Blues Festival

BBQ Competition

This festival features a Florida BBQ Association-approved barbecue competition. 50+ competition teams, both professional and backyard, are competing for top honors and trophies in four standard categories: Chicken, Pork, Brisket, and Ribs. Professional teams have the added incentive of potentially winning $10,000 in prizes. Winners will be announced at 6 p.m.

Over the years, the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival has distinguished itself as a qualifier for four prestigious championship contests:

The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational in Lynchburg, Tenn., considered the Superbowl of BBQ contests; the American Royal World Series of BBQ in Kansas City, the world’s oldest contest; the Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Invitational of Sanford, Fla.; and the World Food Championships, in Orange Beach, Ala., the largest competition in food sport sometimes called the “ultimate food fight” because champions of previous events and a variety of food categories convene for a chance at winning the ultimate food crown and a share of $300,000.

Live Blues Music

The brand-new Florida Hospital Stage will be alive ALL DAY with an impressive line-up of upcoming local, regional, and national blues artists. 

2018 Entertainment:
The Legendary JC's
Chuck Riley's All-Star Revue
Some Day Honey
Doug South Band
Ed Wright Duo

2017 Entertainment:
The Betty Fox Band
J.P. Soars & the Red Hots 
Chuck Riley's All-Star Band
Mama's Batch

Kidz Fun Zone

Our newly expanded Kidz Zone features a variety of activities that children and adults of all ages can enjoy! 

For just one price, grab a wrist band and play all day on all inflatable attractions! Check out the 78-foot extreme, interactive obstacle course or the 48-foot iguana with a belly full of obstacles, a slide, and climbing wall. Take a few trips down the 20-foot high drop slide, challenge your friends in the jousting arena, snap a selfie in a sticky situation on the velcro wall, or let your little ones bounce away in one of our two moon walks.

In the Kidz Zone, you will also find pay-per-play carnival games, pony rides, train rides, and more. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for our FREE, fun activities, like the 12-foot, collaborative coloring wall provided by Kidz Zone sponsor, Suncoast Credit Union! Thanks to our friends at Suncoast, parents can even take turns relaxing in the shade while the kids play! 

Swine & Shine Car Show

Cruise on in to our Swine & Shine Car Show. No Pre-registration required.

Aviation Showcase

Our aviation showcase includes static displays, drone demonstrations, and aviation culture exhibits. Festival goers can even pay $75 to take ride in a classic airplane. The Ford Tri-Motor Airplane recalls the energy, passion, and excitement of the Roaring ’20s. Known as the first luxury airliner, the Ford Tri-Motor redefined world travel and marked the beginning of commercial flight. Those flying are encouraged to bring cameras! A local skydiver will also jump in flying the American Flag as a special guest sings the National Anthem.

Military History Museum

In the early 1940s, hundreds of Army fighter pilots came to Zephyrhills to hone their skills at the newly built Zephyrhills Army Airfield before going to war.

After World War II, the airport was donated to the city. The barracks where the pilots lived have all been demolished with this infirmary building being the only survivor. From 1997 to 2001, state and city grants allowed for restoration and preservation of this building. The museum holds treasured memories of the World War II veterans who lived and trained in Zephyrhills and others who served in this and other wars.

Participants are encouraged to take a tour of the Zephyrhills Museum of Military History, conveniently located across the street from the festival grounds.