Pig & Whiskey to bring barbecue, music back to Ferndale

FERNDALE — The taste and smell of barbecue will permeate throughout Ferndale with the return of the Pig & Whiskey festival.

Pig & Whiskey will be back for its 14th year July 12-14 in downtown Ferndale near Woodward Avenue and East Troy Street. The hours will be 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 12; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July. 13; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 14.

The yearly event brings together barbecue from local restaurants; an assortment of whiskey, cocktails and other liquors; live music; and artists for the three-day festival.

Pig & Whiskey founder Chris Johnston said he loves putting on events like this in Ferndale, where he’s lived and worked for many years.

“I like what Ferndale has to offer, and I feel like when we do these festivals, this festival and DIY (Street Fair), we really try to mirror all the good things of Ferndale, and to me, that’s a little bit of everything going on and definitely a feeling of welcomeness to everyone,” he said. “It’s a relaxed, happy vibe, and I like seeing people have a good time.”

The event also will bring back a collection of activities for kids, which had been missing for the last couple of years.

“We got more kids activities this year,” Johnston said. “We’ve got face painting, which we haven’t done for a while. We’ve got a craft activity that we’re working on. We have a community lemonade stand, which we’ve done in the past at DIY and Pig & Whiskey, where we have a local nonprofit staff it and it’s a free lemonade stand, and you can just go there, and it’s being run by a new nonprofit called … Patchwork Culinary Project.”

One of the returning restaurants participating in Pig & Whiskey is Detroit BBQ Co., which has been involved in the event since its inception.

Pitmaster Terrance Delaney said he loves coming back to the festival for the people, music and food. He also said it helps in getting the name of the business out to the customers and public.

“They usually have pretty good bands there. The whiskey is also a pretty good deal. It was a really good community event — family-oriented event,” he said.

“I’m mainly a people person, so I like to see people smile and eating good food,” Delaney continued.

Also added by request for this year’s festival are private VIP lounges with air conditioning and complimentary appetizers, along with whiskey tasting opportunities.

There is no admission for Pig & Whiskey prior to 6 p.m. July 12, 5 p.m. July 13 and 5 p.m. July 14. Children 12 and younger are able to enter for free.

For more information on ticket prices, visit pigandwhiskeyferndale.com.