Why an NC city scrapped its popular Jiggy with the Piggy BBQ festival after 10 years

There will be no more getting Jiggy with the Piggy in Kannapolis. After 10 years and amid rising costs, the city of Kannapolis is canceling its largest citywide festival.

Jiggy with the Piggy started as a way to attract people to downtown, including potential investors, as part of the city’s Downtown Revitalization Project, the city said in a recent news release.

“The Jiggy festival was intended to market and brand Kannapolis in a positive way,” the city said.

The event drew thousands of people to downtown Kannapolis, with over 10,000 for Friday night last year, city spokeswoman Annette Privette Keller told The Charlotte Observer.

The festival was held over four days the first weekend of May featuring barbecue competitions, free concerts, a 5K run, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks and carnival rides. It was named one of the Top Twenty Events in 2018 by Southeast Tourism Society.

“It has now been concluded that the time, money and resources needed to produce a large citywide festival such as Jiggy no longer produces the same benefit to the community that it did a decade ago,” Privette Keller said.

“Downtown Kannapolis is now a thriving mixed-use district with over 40 new businesses, restaurants and hundreds of new residents,” the city said.

The city’s downtown vision has been “largely achieved,” Kannapolis said, with additions including Atrium Health Ballpark, Pennant Square Townhomes, Vida Apartments and a public parking deck. The Gem and Swanee theaters have been renovated.

Costs, weather also behind Jiggy cut

The city said “all costs have significantly increased whether it is the costs of tents, to the costs of performers to generators.”

The costs of producing Jiggy have continued to “increase dramatically post-COVID and sponsorship dollars have become almost non-existent,” according to a Jan. 27 City County Agenda Staff Report.

Jiggy once cost $300,000 but increased “dramatically” to $441,000 last year — a 47% increase. And that did not include staff overtime hours estimated around $70,000, according to the report.

The largest expense was the barbecue competition itself at $165,000.

Other cost drivers from 2024 listed in the report are:

▪ Barbecue competition payouts: $69,738

▪ Generators and cables: $60,333

▪ Craig Morgan concert: $57,480

▪ Children’s area equipment: $41,171

▪ Drone show: $32,550

▪ Concert stage and sound production: $28,400

▪ Tent Rentals: $10,911

Over the last couple of years, rain also has impacted Jiggy, Privette Keller said. “We have had to cancel or cut short the event on Saturdays,” she said.

What’s next for Kannapolis?

Kannapolis’ multi-day festival differs from another high-profile event in the Charlotte region. Matthews Alive is a four-day annual Labor Day festival held in downtown Matthews is run by a nonprofit, not the town.

It’s unlikely Jiggy will be replaced with a similar large-scale event.

The city has decided to explore partnering with downtown businesses, such as Downtown Kannapolis Inc. and the minor league baseball team Cannon Ballers to co-host several smaller events throughout the year, Privette Keller said.

Kannapolis also plans to expand its promotion of the city into other areas that need revitalization.

Other annual events Kannapolis holds are the Summer Concert & Movie Series from June to September, Celebration of Lights Holiday Event, Stories Under the Stars Series for children and Friday movies for families.

“We are looking forward to our next chapter,” Privette Keller said.

Reaction mixed to Jiggy’s end

Not everyone was happy with Kannapolis’ decision to ditch Jiggy with the Piggy, calling it “sad” on social media and remarking on the years of making memories.

“I want the old Kannapolis back and this is very lame,” Charity Overcash said on the city’s Jiggy with the Piggy Facebook page.

Some people said it was not a good decision and suggested the city scale it back but not dump it altogether. “So many good things came from this event,” Clint Schaney said.

Others noted North Carolina is losing a piece of its culinary traditions.

“Sad news. BBQ competitions are dropping like flies. Not many left,” David Pressley said.

But some commended city leaders for knowing when it was time to send this little Piggy home.

“This is why Kannapolis is thriving. You go all out for your events and reimagining your downtown, and yet continue to reevaluate,” Noelle Rhodes Scott said. “Kudos for a fabulous event and for recognizing when it is time to move on.”

This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 9:20 AM with the headline "Why an NC city scrapped its popular Jiggy with the Piggy BBQ festival after 10 years."