Hogs for the Cause is hosting their 15th anniversary of their annual fundraising event from March 31-April 1, 2023 at the UNO Lakefront arena festival grounds. The festival starts at 3:30pm on Friday and 11:00am on Saturday. The Hogs for the Cause committee has gone above and beyond this year to invite some of the best artists in the nation to perform at this wonderful New Orleans event. Some of this year's most notable performing artists include the Alabama native group St. Paul and the Broken Bones, who have performed with chart-topping artists such as The Rolling Stones and Lizzo, and the Blues Music Award winner Devon Allman, who will be leading a six-piece world-class band. Other artists who will be performing at the 2023 festival include Charles Wesley Godman, Shinyribs, Ian Noe, Bartees Strange, and many more.
In addition to this phenomenal musical lineup, Hogs for the Cause will also feature up to 90 food vendors serving the most delicious barbecue food the city has to offer, who will all compete for the coveted Grand Champion title.
"We are so excited to announce this year's Hogs lineup. With award-winning artists, nationally acclaimed musicians, and local and regional favorites, it's no wonder Hogs has exploded into a music festival to rival the best," said Hogs for the Cause co-founder and chief executive officer Becker Hall.
Great Music for an Even Better Cause
For the past decade, Hogs for the Cause has existed to raise funds in order to help raise money for the families of children who are being treated for pediatric brain cancer. Since its inception, the event has grown from a small organization of people trying to help each other out into one of the most lucrative fundraising events in New Orleans. As of 2022, Hogs for the Cause has helped raise over $6 million for families either through direct grants or by working directly with Childrens' Hospitals.
Last year's Children's Hospital New Orleans Grand Champion and the winner of the Whole Hog and Pork Butt/Shoulder was the group Hog Addiction. The winner of the Ribs category was Emmylou's. Hoggystyle took home the prize for the Porkpourri category. Best Sauce went to Swine Spectators. House of Hogs was crowned the winner of the Blue Plate Mayonnaise Best Side category and the Best Booth category. Irpino Avin Hawkins Best Bacon was awarded to Crazy Jeff's BBQ Bungalow. Tabasco presented the "Just Winging It" award to the River Pork Pilots. Friday Night Party was awarded to The Boars Nest. The Louisiana Tourism Fan Favorite was unsurprisingly Mr. Pigglesworth. PigLIT was given the award for Best Social Media. Perhaps the most illustrious award, however, was the Fundraising Champion, which went to Fleur de Que to round out the 2022 Hogs for the Cause event.
This year's teams include My Hammy Vice, Pig Latin, Chew Forks Farms, David Hasselhogs, Porkchopitoulas, The Pig Easy, PorKings, and Hupigs, to name a few.
Last year, the event was able to raise $2.6 million, a fundraising record. 2022's Hogs for the Cause was just 9 months from June 2021's event.
"As our event grows each year, so too does our ability to provide more funding for those families in need," said Hogs for the Cause co-founder and chief operating officer Rene Louapre.
A limited number of discounted 2-day tickets are on sale on the Hogs for the Cause website, with single day tickets set to go on sale soon. Kids ages 10 and under get in free. The UNO Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds located at 6801 Franklin Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122.
