A close-knit group of born-and-raised Tampa gentlemen joined forces four years ago to coordinate the first annual Pig Jig to raise funds to benefit the NephCure Foundation in honor of their dear friend, Will, who was diagnosed with FSGS in 2009. What began as a backyard BBQ has grown into the Tampa Pig Jig on the River, a waterfront blowout with great bands, delicious food, fun games, and more than 3,000 attendees last year. Over the past 5 years, the Pig Jig event has raised over $1,200,000 with all proceeds benefiting NephCure Kidney International. Our goal for this year alone is to raise $800,000 Helping 'Cue Up a Cure for FSGS!
We listened to live country music performances by OAR, 1000 horses, Born Ruffians, Ethan Parker Band, the Weeks, Southern train, Carson Mx, and No money Down . The main stage had country music that had way too much twang and was a bit obnoxious. The second stage had some tolerable more mellow but upbeat country music playing though. General Admission gets you access to the 2 concert stages. For an additional charge, we got pit passes which gave us unlimited tastings of pulled pork from various mom and pop families. It really had a community feel to it and almost felt like you were intruding on someone else's tailgate. Everyone had pulled pork but very few tents had any good sides. For an additional charge, you could get access to a Vip tent and lounge with unlimited drinks. Pig Jig advertised fun games but didn't specify it was only for kids. Pig Jig had bull riding with a mechanical bull but I was disappointed dodge ball and the inflatable slide was only for kids. The access levels and setup was a little confusing but they had a lot of areas for up selling ticket access that wasn't very clear on their website. While I was impressed that pig Jig h offered two stages of music and had a larger than typical festival setup, I was a little disappointed by the lack of sides to go with the BBQ pulled pork, lack of BBQ variety, and I'm not very big on the twangy country music so I probably won't be going again next year but it was a for a good cause at the least. This wasn't my favorite or least favorite festival at Curtis Hixon Park. It falls somewhere in the middle. read more