The 19th Annual Hog Happnin’, supported by the Cleveland County Home Builders, will take place on November 5-6. This charity event supports the Children’s Homes of Cleveland County and several other non-profits. Located at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, admission to the grounds is free on Friday evening and there is a $2 gate on Saturday; pre-purchased meal tickets for Saturday include the gate fee.

Event coordinator Lloyd Williams, Jr. states that this year is “bigger and better than ever”. There is a BBQ competition, a Car and Motorcycle Show coordinated by Koss Motorsports and an Arts and Crafts Show in Dorton Exhibit Hall. On Friday evening Pipapelli will play on the main stage from 6:00-8:00 p.m. followed by DJ Stan Lowery and Karaoke at 9:00 p.m. On Saturday, Power Dam will perform on the main stage from 11:00-2:00 with other entertainment on the Performing Arts Stage, amusement rides for the children (tickets required), Chaz the magician, Becki the balloon lady, and a Corn Hole Tournament coordinated by Richie Kimmon at noon on Saturday. 

On Friday and Saturday evenings at the grandstand STTPA will present a Truck and Tractor Pull; tickets for these events are $15 per night or $25 for both.

BBQ coordinator, Jerry Gardner, expects at least 80 competition BBQ teams to participate in this year’s “Tar Heel State Championship.” The cook-off is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. “KCBS rules will be followed in choosing our winners and Grand Champion,” says Gardner. Teams will be competing in the standard KCBS categories of poultry, ribs, pork and brisket - as well as best BBQ sauce. An oak door trophy goes to each first-place winner, and cash prizes will be awarded through tenth place. The awards program is at 4:00 p.m. Saturday following the car and motorcycle show awards which begin at 2:30 p.m.

Food is available at several locations. Friday night the public is invited to purchase Taster’s Choice tickets, to sample differerent types of BBQ, on Saturday BBQ meals or sandwiches are available for dine-in at Goforth Hall, Take-out and Drive-Thru. BBQ sandwiches, ribs and hamburgers and hot dogs will be available at the grandstand for the Truck and Tractor Pull.

For more information on the 19th Annual Hog Happnin’, please log onto www.hoghappnin.com or go to Hog Happnin’ on Facebook.