Hogs & Hens takes over downtown Abbeville each fall with barbecue, live music, craft vendors, and a Southern BBQ Network competition centered around historic Court Square.
The festival is free to attend and runs Friday evening and throughout the day Saturday. Come for the barbecue, but leave some time to walk the Square, check out the vendors, and catch the live entertainment.
BBQ Competition on the Square
Hogs & Hens is an open Southern BBQ Network competition, with teams earning championship points and competing for prize money and an invitation to the SBN Invitational.
The competition goes well beyond pulled pork. Current categories include pork, chicken, ribs, brisket, and hash, giving the judges plenty to work through before a Grand Champion is crowned.
Food vendors are set up around the festival as well, so there are plenty of options when you're ready to eat. Not every competition team necessarily sells food to the public, so think of the cook-off and the festival food vendors as overlapping parts of the weekend rather than the same thing.
Friday Night in Abbeville
Friday's festival runs from 5 to 8 p.m., with barbecue, craft vendors, downtown businesses, and live music around the Square.
The Swingin' Medallions are scheduled to perform at 6 p.m. Friday.
Saturday at Hogs & Hens
Saturday runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., giving you a full day to explore the barbecue, food and craft vendors, downtown shops, and entertainment.
The detailed Saturday entertainment schedule can change from year to year, so check the City of Abbeville's current festival information as the weekend gets closer if there's a particular performance or activity you don't want to miss.
Free Admission and Vendor Purchases
There is no admission charge for Hogs & Hens, and there isn't a festival-wide food ticket system. Buy what you want directly from individual vendors; most accept cash and cards.
That makes it easy to wander the festival at your own pace, stopping for barbecue, something sweet, or whatever else catches your eye along the way.
Beer, Wine, and Festival Rules
Beer and wine may be carried within the designated festival area after you get a wristband at the Festival Information Tent. You'll need to show ID, and a new wristband is required each day.
Beer and wine must be purchased from a licensed downtown business. Outside beer and wine are not permitted.
- Pets are not allowed in the festival area.
- Smoking and vaping are not allowed.
- Weapons are prohibited.
Parking and Restrooms
Parking is available around the outside of Court Square, including areas behind the Abbeville Opera House and the Belmont Inn. Accessible parking is available on Church Street in the lot behind the Livery Stable.
Portable restrooms are located on W. Pickens Street and Trinity Street, with an accessible restroom on W. Pickens Street. Additional public restrooms are available in the Livery Stable parking lot.
A Local Nonprofit Gets the Spotlight
As part of the SBN competition, the City selects a local nonprofit beneficiary each year. The organization receives free festival booth space and promotion of its work during Hogs & Hens.
What to Know Before You Go
- Friday: 5–8 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Admission: Free
- Location: Court Square in downtown Abbeville
- BBQ competition: Pork, chicken, ribs, brisket, and hash
- Friday music: Swingin' Medallions at 6 p.m.
- Food and shopping: Buy directly from individual vendors; most accept cash and cards
Admission: Free
Event Organizer
Organizer
- Name
- Emily Bledsoe
- Phone
- (864) 366-9673
