New BBQ flavors to savor Saturday at Hog Days of Summer
After five years of food and fun at the Union Station Train Shed, the summer scent of fresh barbecue drifting over downtown Montgomery is something to which we’ve gotten accustomed.
Hold on to your tastebuds. The sixth annual Hog Days of Summer barbecue and music festival has something unique planned there Saturday, Aug. 26.
“We’ve decided to make a few upgrades on the barbecue side to offer different kinds of barbecue to the attendees,” said Stuart Franco, one of the event organizers from the Druids Charity Club. “It’ll be more championship chefs and award-winning pitmasters this year.”
Among them is Ryan Prewett, a James Beard Award winner. He’s the partner and executive chef at Peche Seafood Grill in New Orleans, La., who will be serving up grilled chicken thighs in Alabama White Sauce, with a side of country slaw.
Under the growing social media giant Iron Fire Cooking, Troy chef Ricky Albright — who grew up in Montgomery — is serving Argentina Asado in Alabama: Wagyu of Alabama Empanadas, sliced Argentine sausage with provolone and chimichurri, and roasted pineapple bites.
Also on the menu for Hog Days is:
Brenda’s BBQ — Brenda’s Famous Barbecue Ribs: Ribs with a side of potato salad.
Hogs For The Cause — Stabbin’s Ribs & Pickles: Seasoned and hand rubbed ribs smoked to perfection, served with a side of pickles.
Moe’s Original BBQ — Moe’s Barbecue Sundae: Pulled pork bowl with baked beans, slaw, topped with red and white BBQ sauce.
Sol Restaurante — Sol’s Street Tacos: 2 street-style corn tortilla tacos — 1 pork belly and 1 Barbacoa (brisket)
The Bearded Pickle Company — The Bearded Pickle Pork Sandwich: Charred & smoked Vertigo Hot Sauce pork shoulder sandwich topped with Psycho Pickles, with a side of fresh grilled corn salad.
General admission tickets for Hog Days are $30 through Friday, Aug. 25. There’s special discounted rate of $20 for active military personnel, police, fire, EMS and students. Children age 12 and under, accompanied by an adult, get in free of charge. Get tickets online at hogdays.org.
Think of this like a food truck event. Admission gets you access to the BBQ vendors in the Train Shed, 210 Water St. Inside, meals can be purchased from each of the cooking teams.
“All proceeds from this go to River Region families that are dealing with pediatric cancer,” Fraco said. “The money stays in the River Region to help those families deal with the expenses that come with a cancer battle.”
Doors open at 2 p.m., and the barbecue offerings will be immediately available to purchase.
That’s also when the music starts.
“Our roots for this festival is Americana music, but that is a wide ranging style of music that covers everything from blues to country,” Franco said.
Music acts include:
Drivin N Cryin — A Southern rock band from Atlanta, Ga., that’s been making music since 1985 with hits like “Fly Me Courageous,” “Straight to Hell” and “Honeysuckle Blue.”
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country — Nashville, Tennessee artist whose sound is described as “rock band aesthetic with plenty of roadhouse twang.”
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio — also known as DLO3. They’re out of Seattle, Wash., and specialize in feel-good music.
Southern Avenue — a Grammy nominated soulful six-piece band out of Memphis. Last year, they released the single “That’s All.”
“We’re really trying to bring first class music acts to the city of Montgomery,” Franco said.
The event will offer seating, but Franco said guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs.
On the opposite end of the Train Shed from the music stage, Hog Days will have a huge kids zone with inflatables and games.
“This event really is for everyone,” Franco said. “The whole family can enjoy it.”
While temperatures outside for weeks have felt like we’re living in a grill — and forecasts for Saturday are calling for a high of 102 — Franco said the Train Shed is a nice, sheltered venue.
“We provide plenty of fans, and we provide water for people who come,” Franco said. “You’ll be able to beat the heat in the Train Shed.”
Franco said the Druids Charity Club is made up of people who grew up in Montgomery and love the city. He offered thanks to all of the Hog Days of Summer supporters and sponsors.
“The event has grown every year,” Franco said. “Support from the community has been so great.”
Free side parties before and after Hog Days of Summer
Vintage Hospitality, one of Hog Days of Summer’s sponsors, is hosting three “side parties” to Hog Days at Red Bluff Bar at the Silos, 335 Coosa St. in Riverfront Park, practically within rib bone tossing distance from the Train Shed.
There’s a free pre-party concert on Friday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m., with music from William Barnes & Friends, plus special guests DJ Randolph and Kebbi Williams.
The free after-party concert for Hog Days is Saturday, Aug. 26, from 10 p.m. to midnight with the twin musical duo The PRVLG from Memphis, Tennessee.
There’s also a free winddown concert party on Sunday, Aug. 27, with Montgomery native JM Turner starting at 4 p.m.
Entrance to Riverfront Park is through the tunnel on Commerce Street. There are also stairs leading down into the tunnel to the right of the Train Shed. In the park, turn right and then go up the hill to get to Red Bluff.
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: New BBQ flavors to savor Saturday at Hog Days of Summer
