The 5^th Annual Hogs for the Cause Fundraiser and Cookoff takes place March 22 & 23, 2013 in New Orleans when City Park becomes City “Pork”.  The park’s new Festival Grounds become home Friday night to a Tailgate Experience as well as a Gala Dinner.  On Saturday, it becomes a cookoff and music festival!

Hogs For the Cause is a non-profit organization that hosts an annual music and food festival to raise money for pediatric brain cancer care.  This year over 80 teams will compete to be crowned the Louisiana pork champion.  Attendees are invited to vote and help choose the winners by donating to their favorite team by sampling their food.  While teams battle it out on the grill, music will be playing throughout the day and into the night.  This year there will also be a Friday night gala dinner.

Hogs for the Cause is excited to announce the 2013 Southern Asado Gala Dinner coordinated by Chefs Stephen Stryjewski and Ryan Prewitt of the Link Restaurant Group.  Inspired by the meat extravaganzas of Argentina, thirteen of the South’s best chefs will cook whole animals, vegetables and other delicacies using traditional open fire cooking techniques.

The dinner will begin with passed hors d’oeuvres, a seafood bar, and cocktails by Neal Bodenheimer.  Guests will then enjoy salads and charcuterie before settling into an assortment of roasted meats served with chimichurris.  Wines will be generous and flowing courtesy of Neat Wines and the feast will wind down with roasted fruit pies and after dinner drinks.

Music will be featured on two stages Saturday.  Entertainers will include The Lost Bayou Ramblers, Eric Lindell, Robert Randolph & the Family Band featuring Anders Osborne and New Orleans’ own Grammy winners the Rebirth Brass Band.

Last year, 12,000 people helped raise money for the fight against pediatric brain cancer.  In 2013, the event is moving to a bigger locale in City Park so more people can join the fight.  This is a family affair so bring your kids, lawn chairs, love of live local music, and most importantly your appetite!

What:  An annual music and food festival to raise money for pediatric brain cancer care.

When:  Friday and Saturday, March 22 & 23.  Friday’s Tailgate Experience is 4:30 – 11:00 p.m. while the Southern Asado Gala Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.  Gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Where:  City Park Festival Grounds, New Orleans.

Tix & Info: Friday’s Tailgate Experience $5, Gala $300 - $500.  Saturday $10 - $250.  Further information is available at HogsForTheCause.org and on Twitter, @Hogs4The Cause.