Ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, oh my. What’s your favorite kind of BBQ? | Photos provided by Visit Central Florida, via Emily Mort
Do you smell that? It’s the sacred combination of tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices colliding with juicy and tender, slow-cooked meats to create one of the South’s greatest simple pleasures: BBQ.
The two-day extravaganza kicks off the Florida Triple Crown of BBQ, a series of three competitions throughout Central Florida where both professional and amateur chefs vie for the prestigious Triple Crown title — and up to $1,500 in cash prizes.
Pigfest attracts 150+ competition teams, and attendees have the first chance to try what could become a Triple Crown winner.
So, grab a package of hand wipes and leave your white t-shirts at home, because we’ve got all of the details for a sweet + spicy weekend.
🎟️ Know before you go
Admission is $5 (free for kids 12 and under) with free public parking
Exchange cash for Pig Bucks to purchase food from 150+ vendors and support local non-profit organizations and charities
Enjoy live music and family-friendly activities
🏆 Pigfest history
Pigfest is one of the largest BBQ competitions in the Southeast and the biggest Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event in Florida.
Bringing world-class BBQ to the masses isn’t the only goal of Pigfest. Since its inception in 1997, the festival has raised over $2 million in charitable donations to the Lakeland community.
🐖 Taste the competition
If Pigfest leaves your mouth watering for more, there are two Triple Crown events happening next month:
Music Mayhem Mutts | 6-10 p.m. | United Women’s Club of Lakeland | $50+ | Raise money for the Polk County Bully Project through this soiree featuring dinner, live music, and a silent auction — just to name a few.
Line Dancing in the Backyard | 7-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free | These boots were made for dancing — two-step over to this winery for lessons under the stars.
Friday, Jan. 17
Polk @ Nite: New Beginnings | 5-8 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | $15+ | Check out the AGB’s expansion while enjoying seasonal bites, bevs, and DJ beats.
“The Light in the Piazza” | Friday, Jan. 17-Sunday, Jan. 26 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre | $30 | You’ll be transported to the Tuscan countryside as local actors perform this Tony Award-winning musical.
Saturday, Jan. 18
Florida Arbor Day Tree Giveaway | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | South Central Park, Winter Haven | Free | The City of Winter Haven will give away trees to residents who complete educational stations on planting, pruning, and tree selection.
47th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade | 1 p.m. | Providence Rd. and West 14th St. | Free | Celebrate the life + legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at this parade that travels toward the Coleman-Bush Building.
Sunday, Jan. 19
Dixieland Mid-Day Market | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Union Hall | Free+ | Head to this market’s inaugural event featuring local makers, bakers, a themed brunch + entertainment.
Goat Yoga on the Farm | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm | $20+ | We’re not kidding around — connect with nature and meet friendly goats as you work your way through a guided yoga practice.
Go off the rails in the next episode of “Greater Lakeland”
Presented by WEDU PBS
The next episode of “Greater Lakeland” will feature Bonnet Springs Park CEO Josh Henderson and volunteers who share about the park’s restoration efforts. | Photo by Triforce Pictures
Decades ago, an agriculture + phosphate rail yard near Lake Bonnet put Lakeland on the map.
Today, that same land is now Bonnet Springs Park — but how did it transform from rail to recreation?
Find out in the next episode of “Greater Lakeland” on WEDU PBS. Tune in tonight or stream anytime to dive into the restoration efforts that turned Bonnet Springs Park into one of Central Florida’s top outdoor destinations.
Do you dink? If you don’t, now might be the time to start. Dill Dinkers, a state-of-the-art pickleball club, has announced it’s planning to bring more than 20 locations to the Tampa and Lakeland areas. Specific locations + opening dates are TBA — get to know the club. (Franchising.com)
Stat
82.2%. That’s the graduation rate Polk County Public Schools achieved for the 2023-2024 school year — a nearly 4% increase from the prior year. Superintendent Frederick Heid shared that while “more progress needs to be made… the hard work of our students and staff is paying off.” (The Ledger)
Community
The Lakeland Public Library’s main branch is nearly ready to unveil its renovated Youth Services area. From Monday, Jan. 27 through Wednesday, Jan. 29, the library will be closed while staff finish preparations, but will reopen with its new wing on Thursday. Black & Brew plans to remain open.
Lakelander
Lakeland attorney Stephen Senn will be recognized today by the Florida State Bar in Tallahassee for his outstanding pro bono work. A senior shareholder with Peterson & Myers, Senn has completed 730 hours of free legal services spanning a variety of cases since June of 2019. (The Ledger)
Eat
While we’ve got barbecue on the brain, George Jenkins High School’s competition barbecue team is making history as the only school in the nation to sell its own line of packaged rubs. Pick up a container at Whiskey Bent BBQ Supply, or try one when the team competes at PigFest.
Try This
Shake up your skillset by learning to craft delicious drinks from Lugo’s Craft Distillery’s Master Mixologist. Sign up for the next This or That class on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. to gain techniques for creating three classic cocktails — tickets are $70.
Kids
The City of Lakeland’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts department’s ESports registration is now open. Teens aged 12-17 can now register to participate in spring leagues as individuals or as teams for a variety of games, from Fortnite to Madden. Game on.
Active
If “Time Warp” is a song stuck in your head year-round, then this race is for you. The Time Travel 5K and 10K will take place around Lake Hollingsworth on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. + is open to all ages — snag your spot in the time machine.
Holiday
Let’s go, gals. Lakeland Girls Who Walk is hosting a “Favorite Things” party in the spirit of Galentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Sabrina’s Delicacies. Bring two gifts worth $20 each to exchange while indulging in specialty snacks — don’t forget to RSVP.
Eat
Treat every day like Taco Tuesday during Polk County Taco Week, happening now through Sunday, Jan. 19. Explore 40+ local restaurants serving unique creations like mango habanero chicken tacos, Korean tacos, and more. See where to savor local flavors.*
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This is hands-down one of the best of 2025.*
Volunteer
Did you know MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service? Join AmeriCorps this MLK Day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and help your community by volunteering on Monday, Jan. 20. Find volunteer opportunities to serve locally.*
Category
Civic
📈 Memorial is movin’ on up
What would you like to see on Memorial Boulevard? | Screenshot via Google Maps
Memorial Boulevard is staying top of mind for state + local officials.
In September of 2024, Florida Commerce granted $75,000 to the City of Lakeland to conduct an economic study of Memorial Boulevard, and commissioners approved the grant agreement in October.
Now, the city is partnering with Ayres — a planning, design, and engineering firm — to develop a plan for creating a thriving economic environment in the six-mile stretch of road between I-4 and East Lake Parker Drive.
As a part of the economic study, the city is seeking feedback from Lakelanders on the thoroughfare’s current state, as well as what they’d like to see in the future.
Submit your thoughts online + mark your calendars for a public informational meeting about the project on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Coleman Bush Building.
A pair of 14K gold plated heart hoops. The huggie-sized earrings are hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant. Psst — they’re also the perfect Valentine’s Day accessory.
Besides the food, I think one of my favorite parts of PigFest is seeing how creative teams get with their names. Personal favorites of mine from last year include “Them Y’all’s Goats? BBQ,” “Denim Dan the BBQ Man,” and “Glazed and Infused.” Know of any other teams we ought to stop by and visit during the festival? Let us know.
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