We've got a whole summer to get through before this year's porkiest festival Pig Island arrives in September, but the early bird gets the bacon and the event has released some tickets now for the wallet-friendly price of $65. The annual porcine celebration, now in its fifth year, began on Governor's Island (hence the name) but now takes over the East River Basin Park in Red Hook, a lovely waterfront venue with free ferry rides from Manhattan.
The pigging out takes place on Saturday, September 6th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a ticket giving you access to dishes created from 80 hogs from Flying Pigs Farm plus all the beer, wine and cider you save room for.
The chef list hasn't been set in stone yet, but Pig Island founder Jimmy Carbone tells us to expect the team from Fletcher's BBQ, Joe Dobias from Joe & Misses Doe, the Jimmy's No. 43 "summer rig" with pitmaster Bob Devine and some local talent from Good Fork and Fort Defiance in Red Hook. Also of note, pig man Tyson Ho, who'll also be opening his barbecue and beer hall in Williamsburg at some point this summer. There's along going to be some vegetarian stations set up, so no whining from the meat-free set, plus some live music to soundtrack the feasting.
For a look at what to expect, check out the festivities from the 2012 iteration:
