KEWANEE, Illinois – In Kewanee, Labor Day weekend is synonymous with its annual Hog Fest.
The party this year kicks off on Friday, Aug. 30, and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 2.
The weekend features the world’s largest pork barbecue, carnival rides, a craft show and flea market that takes up an entire city park, a huge parade and main-stage entertainment throughout the weekend.
Activities include three stampede health and fitness runs. That’s appropriate, organizers say, given that Hog Fest attendees are urged to, well, make pigs of themselves on the 26,000 butterfly chops and pork burgers that are grilled in over some 25 hours by expert volunteers using a 24-foot-long custom-made grill.
Attendees also are urged to leave room to sample traditional fair and carnival food that includes cotton candy, onion rings, lemonade shake ups, homemade ice cream and more.
The event kicked off with the Hog Capital Barrow Show at the Black Hawk East Campus, where this year’s King Hog was to be named, according to the Kewanee Voice, whose special September 2024 print edition was renamed The Hog Herald featuring “Hog Facts. Hog Truth. Hog Wash.”
More information on the celebration can be found on its Facebook page.
Following is an abbreviated schedule of events with dates and times courtesy of the Hog Herald. (A complete schedule of activities is available on the Hog Fest Website here.)
- The World’s Largest Outdoor Pork BBQ begins at 11 a.m. Saturday. Butterfly pork chop and pork patty sandwiches will be served from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Cost is $3 for pork patties and $5 for pork chop sandwiches.
- Hog Days Flea Market and Craft Show is from 9 a.m. to dusk on Saturday and Sunday at Liberty Park. (Select vendors also will set up on Friday and Monday.)
- The Hog Festival Committee’s Pig Palace souvenir shop will be open at 306 N. Main St., from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and noon to 3 p.m. Monday.
- Pony Rides are available from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
- Kid’s Day activities will be offered from 111 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Peoples National Bank parking lot at Third and Tremont streets.
- Entertainment on the Hog Fest main stage begins at 7 p.m. Friday with Stone Cold Cowboys and is sponsored by RWE Clean Electric. Musicians from a variety of genres, magicians and others also will perform throughout the weekend. (Check the website for details).
- Hog Days Stampede starts at 8 a.m. Saturday with a four-mile run, followed by a 9:30 kids’ run and a one-mile run at 9:45.
- The Hog Days Parade steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday. It starts near Kewanee High School on East Third Street. The parade then heads west on Second Street to Main Street, then south to Central Boulevard. It ends at Irving School.
- The 39th annual Hog Wallow Mud Volleyball Classic begins at 8 a.m. Sunday. The one-day event is at Chautauqua Park.
