A new festival will allow barbecue lovers to indulge in their favorite foods while enjoying live music, craft beer and benefitting the homeless.

Sip and Swine Barbecue, a free festival at Coolray Field, will take place March 4-5.

Attendees won’t have to pay any money to watch several live bands perform or to visit the “Vendor Village” where food, craft beer, jewelry, clothes and more will be sold.

For $10, attendees can participate in the People’s Choice Competition on March 5 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Participants will be able to sample 10 items from over 90 teams and vote on their favorites.

Jim Lloyd, event organizer, said putting together the event allowed him to mix his passion for barbecue and the Gwinnett Children’s Shelter, where he serves as a board member. All proceeds from the event will benefit the shelter.

Lloyd said about 50 sponsors helped to put the event together.

Tickets for the People’s Choice Competition can be purchased at the event.

If You Go: 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. on March 4, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on March 5. Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville. Cost: free (admission), $10 (People's Choice Competition). Sipandswine.com.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The skyline of downtown Atlanta is visible from Centennial Olympic Park, which is about a 10-minute walk from the FIFA Club World Cup games happening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Christine Tannous/AJC 2021)

Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Featured

Apartment complex community members look at the stuffed animals, snacks and drinks that rest at the base of a basketball goal with balloons in memoriam of Ja’Nylen Greggs in Atlanta on Friday, June 20, 2025. The apartment complex community is mourning 12-year-old Greggs after he was killed in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting. (Abbey Cutrer / AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com