Saturday, Picayune’s Crosby Commons will be stocked with “pigs” getting fit and full at the annual Run with the Pigs event.
The festivities are hosted by the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce, Home Builders Association Pearl River County and the MS Mud Pirates.
Chamber Director April Lovelace said Saturday’s event will be the first held at Crosby Commons.
“Come join us for the newest and most fun event Picayune will have for years to come,” Lovelace said.
The first activity of the day is running with the pigs. There is a one mile fun run beginning at 8 a.m. and a 5k run at 8:30 a.m. Registration for the run begins at 7 a.m. and costs $35.
After the run at 11 a.m., there will be a fitness challenge for the fit pigs, which Lovelace said is not strenuous. Registration for fit pigs begins at 10 a.m. and costs $35.
“If people would like to register for both events, the cost is $50,” Lovelace said. “Dual registrants will also get in free to the next event, full pigs.”
Full pigs is an amateur and professional barbeque cook-off and judging begins at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The entry fee for professionals is $150 and $100 for amateurs.
There are four categories including pork, pork ribs, brisquet and chicken.
Professional entries will be judged in accordance with the Kansas City Barbeque Society rules, Lovelace said.
Amateur entries will be judged on people’s choice.
“Upon entering the gate, people will get a Picayune coin,” Lovelace said. “They will deposit their coin into the piggy bank for the best amateur barbeque.”
There is still time to register for the event, Lovelace said, and she is requesting that barbeque contestants set up prior to 4 p.m. Friday.
There will be a host of other activities including food vendors, arts and crafts and a food demonstration by Picayune native Reuben Hanberry.
Hanberry trained as a chef in Vale, Col. and is currently the sous chef at Hooks Gulf Coast Cuisine in Pass Christian.
Live entertainment includes performances by Woopie and The Skeeterbate Band from 9 a.m. to noon and The Huey P’s from 1p.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs.
There will fun activities for kids and adults of all ages including bungee run, fun jumps, rock wall, petting zoo and gyro-spinning, which is a NASA gravity training simulator.
Event coordinator Keghan Odom is the newest member of the chamber team and invites people to come and have “hog” wild fun.
“Come get your run on and enjoy great food and entertainment,” Odom said.
Follow the pigs on Facebook at Run With the Pigs. For more information contact Lovelace at 601-798-3122.
Adult admission to the event is $10. Children 6 to 10-years-old $5 and 5 and under are free.
The main entrance will be on Magnolia Street and the runners only entrance to the fast pig event will be on Kirkwood Street.
The event will last from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crosby Commons is located at 801 Goodyear Blvd.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Pearl River Community College foundation to fund scholarships, Lovelace said.