About Hog Day

History

Hillsborough Hog Day, now celebrating its 30th Year, is a fun-filled family barbecue and entertainment festival, presented by the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce. Hillsborough Hog Day is Orange County’s largest festival, and a major fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce.

Historically, Hillsborough Hog Day has been held on the Third Saturday in June. Over the past 10 years, the average temperature on that date has risen 7 degrees! That’s HOT – TOO HOT! So, in 2010, the Hog Day Committee voted to move the date back one month, to the Third Saturday in May!

In 2012, Hillsborough Hog Day plans to recycle everything that can be recycled, including forks, spoons, food waste.

Look for the bright neon yellow trash sorting stations at the food tent where Hog Day attendees can recycle and compost their food, paper, and other compostable waste. Vendors are required to serve on compostable serving ware, so do your part at Hog Day, compost and recycle at the trash sorting stations!

While barbecue is the basis of the festival, fun for the whole family is the focus. A variety of activities are held each year as part of Hog Day: fun contests, including Hog Hollering, and Guess the Weight of the Pig contests; the area’s largest antique car show, an arts & crafts area with more than 100 vendors; and a children’s area featuring activities and rides. Hillsborough Hog Day also offers regionally and nationally known musicians, live on stage throughout the kickoff party on Friday night and all day on Saturday.

Hillsborough Hog Day is held each year on the third Saturday of May, in Downtown Hillsborough. The festival is attended by up to 35,000 people. Ample parking is available in the Eno River Parking Deck, just across the street!

The Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce couldn’t pull off Orange County’s largest festival without assistance, of course. We rely heavily on staff of Orange County Government, staff of the Town of Hillsborough, and on volunteers from the community. If you are interested in volunteering for Hog Day or for any of the Chamber’s other functions, please contact us. You can also print out and return this form to the Chamber by mail or by fax (866-306-3644).