The City of Kennesaw announced that platinum-selling country artist Chayce Beckham will headline the 2026 Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival as the City of Kennesaw and Kennesaw Parks & Recreation bring two days of live music, barbecue and family entertainment to Depot Park on Oct. 16-17.
The festival will take place Friday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Beckham will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the United Bankshares Amphitheater at Depot Park, following ACM Award-winning duo Tigirlily Gold, which takes the stage at 6 p.m.
Beckham rose to national prominence after winning Season 19 of American Idol, becoming the first contestant to win the competition with an original song. He later earned his first No. 1 country radio hit with the platinum-certified single “23,” which has helped generate more than 1.2 billion global on-demand streams. His debut album, Bad for Me, followed the success of the single, and he continues touring while preparing to release new music, including the neo-Western-inspired track “Dirt Floor.”
Tigirlily Gold, made up of sisters Kendra Olson and Krista Slaubaugh, built its career performing together from childhood before relocating from North Dakota to Nashville. The duo’s 2024 debut album, Blonde, features the radio singles “Shoot Tequila” and “I Tried a Ring On.” The pair won the 2024 ACM Award for New Duo of the Year and has also received multiple CMT and People’s Choice Country Award nominations.
Community talent showcase added
New for 2026, the festival will open Friday evening with Kennesaw’s Got Country, a community talent showcase featuring local and regional country musicians.
Solo performers, duos and full bands are invited to apply online. Participants may perform original songs or covers, with both acoustic and amplified performances accepted.
BBQ tasting experience returns
The BBQ Competition Tasting Experience returns for its second year on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Ticket holders will sample award-winning barbecue from competing teams, including barbecue entries, Anything Peach creations and Sweet Baby Ray’s wing submissions.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three cook teams as well as the People’s Choice winner. Space is limited, and competitor applications and tasting tickets are available through the festival website.
Expanded Kids Zone
Families will also find an expanded Kids Zone featuring interactive activities, a petting zoo and a Kids Market where young entrepreneurs can sell handmade products and creations. The Kids Zone will be open Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Now in its 26th year, the Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival has become one of Kennesaw’s signature fall events, featuring dozens of barbecue teams, vendors, exhibitors, live entertainment and craft beer.
The 2026 festival is presented by Williams Elleby Howard & Easter and Ford of Kennesaw.
For more information, including performer applications, BBQ competition entries and tasting experience tickets, visit https://pigsandpeaches.com or contact Kennesaw Parks & Recreation at 770-422-9714.