Orange County's Largest and Oldest Event!

Since 1983!

Hog Day has been a community and family tradition for over 40 years here in Orange County. The festival has been running since 1983 and raises funds for youth programs and services throughout the county. 100% of the profit from this event will go towards supporting children's projects, schools, and nonprofit organizations within Orange County.

As the county's largest and oldest event, we feature a BBQ contest, arts and craft vendors, car show, children’s area and much more in historic downtown Hillsborough. Held in mid-September, we have been featured year after year as one of the top events in the southeast and the country. We encourage you to come and visit, inquire about being a vendor, and explore our downtown. Our event is rich in history and has received national recognition as one of the top festivals in America.

The highlight of the festival is the BBQ. Veteran cooking teams will be competing for top honors.

None of this would be possible without the support of dozens of volunteers that work before and during the days of the events from cooking BBQ, to selling t-shirts, or providing publicity. Two other vital groups to our success are our sponsors and vendors. These groups provide the financial support to make Hog Day a success year after year.  From our humble beginnings as a small community event to receiving as many as 50,000 visitors annually, we offer great family fun.

Hog day events

MUSIC

Hog Day provides a variety of entertainment starting Friday night and running all day Saturday. We feature local entertainment with musicians performing a variety of music from gospel, bluegrass and beach to Elvis, southern rock and top 40. Check back in September for our line up!

Musical Lineup

Friday, September 13, 2024

Bill Lyerly Band

6:00 - 7:15pm

A native of North Carolina, blues guitarist Bill Lyerly honed his chops on the local scene for 20-odd years before finally breaking out in 1998 with the nationally distributed Railroad Station Blues. The remainder of his Bill Lyerly Band features bassist Stan Jones and drummer Dexter Horton. His sophomore effort, Cobalt Blues, was issued in 1999 and Motel Room Blues followed a year later. 

Cajammers

7:30 - 8:45pm

Cajammers are an NC -based dance band of energetic musicians who adore playing for dancers

Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojos

9:00 - 10:00pm

Mel Melton is an American musician, singer, and chef. Much of his music is in the Zydeco style and his cooking primarily focuses on the culture of southern Louisiana. 

A native of Gastonia, North Carolina, Roy "Mel" Melton first went to Lafayette, Louisiana, to visit a college friend during the summer and play music before returning to the University of North Carolina. He changed his plans when he fell in love with the rich culture and physical beauty of southwest Louisiana. Melton soon moved permanently to Lafayette and began playing in a band he co-founded with slide-guitar player Sonny Landreth.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

More Cowbell

10:00 - 11:30am

More Cowbell is a local band that has played at previous Hog Day events for several years.

The band covers Rock and Roll, Blues with songs from Elvis, Stevie Ray Vaughan to the Beatles to name a few. The four piece band consist of Ryan Foster, (lead guitar and vocals), Doug Moats ,(drums and vocals), Tony Stafford, (keyboards and vocals), and Rick Partridge, (bass and vocals). More Cowbell's music will definitely get you on your feet and Rockin'!

2Digh4

12:15 - 1:45pm

2Digh4 (pronounced Two Die Four) is a country/rock/pop band founded by brothers Landon and Aubrey Digh from Fuquay-Varina, NC. Formed in 2014, 2Digh4 has played at multiple big events, including the Carolina Country Music Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2016, the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC in 2018, the N.C. State Fair in 2021, and the infamous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee in 2022. The brothers write original songs for the group, and while in Nashville, one of their originals got picked up by a highly-acclaimed publisher; an exciting feat in their career. 

Hillacasters

2:00 - 3:30pm

The Hillacasters are a local Hillsborough favorite. Playing classic rock n roll, classic country, and blues. From The Stones to Haggard they have their own special twist on the classics.

JP Leon Band

4:00 - 5:30pm

The JP LEON BAND is a band of the people with the intent of playing Rock & Roll for the people.

5K Run - September 14, 2024

The Annual Hog Day 5k (3.107 mi), and Pork Run (1/4 mi), is sponsored by UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus and is open to participants of all ages.

5K Registration Form 

BBQ

BBQ is the heart of our Hog Day festival and your team can be our champion!! Previous years' top team prizes have been upwards of $750, second prize $500 and third prize $300.

Cooking Team Application 

Pigs on Parade

One of our favorite aspects of Hog Day is our “Pigs on Parade” art project. You, too, can receive a life-sized pig statue to buy or rent and decorate. All of the pigs are displayed weeks before Hog Day for fun and to advertise the event.

The day of Hog Day all the pigs are displayed at the event and attendees get to vote on their favorite decorated pig.

You, too, can either buy or rent a life-sized hog or pot bellied pig to paint and display the month leading up to Hog Day! See our application for more details.

In keeping with our Hog Day tradition, lets see who can have the best dressed pig!!!!

Register for a Pig 

CAR SHOW

If you own a classic car or just enjoy taking a drive down memory lane, join us on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 9am to 4pm for our Hog Day Brakes & Shakes Car Show. The event is free to all guests and will take place rain or shine. Kids are more than welcome.

The annual event will be help in the parking lot of:

The Orange County Schools

200 East King Street

Hillsborough, NC

Just steps away from the best BBQ around!!!!

We will have entertainment, a variety of vendors, good food and fellowship at this Parking Lot Party.

Show off your pride and joy!

Our show is open to all cool rides cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, hit and miss engines Saturday, September 14, 2024.

All winners will get a trophy and a gift pack or prize.

Come and go as you please! No pre-registration required, although recommended.

Rain or Shine. There is a $25 entry fee. Sign-up through our online form.

Your $25 registration fee goes to assist the youth at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillsborough, NC.

Car Show Application 

Festival Date: 

Friday, September 13, 2024, 6 PM-10 PM

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10AM-6PM

Location: East Margaret Lane

Hillsborough, NC

Click here for More Information