BBQ & Brew at Principal Park

CLIVE, IA – The Iowa Pork Producers Association is teaming with the Iowa Cubs and Cactus Cares to provide pork for food pantries across Iowa. The inaugural BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark takes place on Saturday, July 15 at Principal Park in Des Moines from 12-4 p.m. Attendees can sample delicious Iowa pork from 30 different backyard barbeque experts and 15 craft beers from Iowa’s top breweries.

Full price tickets cost $25, with $5 from every ticket purchase helping to provide pork for local food pantries. Iowans who want the BBQ experience without the brew can attend for $15. Kids under 5 get in free. Visit IowaPork.org to purchase your ticket today.

“Iowa pig farmers care about the people of this state and the animals we raise. This fun event will provide some delicious pork not only for attendees, but also for food insecure Iowans in our communities,” said Trish Cook, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

There is no baseball game that day, but Principal Park will be open for BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark. Along with sampling pork and Iowa craft beers, attendees learn some grilling skills at a Pork BBQ Bootcamp conducted by Speed Herrig of Cookies BBQ and Joe Osbrink from the Iowa Barbeque Society. Music, food vendors and other entertainment will also be provided for this family-friendly event. Jackie Schmillen, the director of public affairs for the Iowa National Guard and promoter of all great things happening in central Iowa, will emcee the festivities.

One of the highlights of the event is a Backyard BBQ Competition. More than $10,000 in cash prizes are available and attendees can help determine the winners of the charity competition. All 30 slots the Backyard BBQ Competition are full. The meat for the competition will be provided by Berkwood Farms and the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Fareway Stores will be providing numerous resources for BBQ and Brew at the Ballpark.

“We’re really excited to host the inaugural BBQ & Brew at Principal Park this summer,” Iowa Cubs Asst. GM Randy Wehofer said. “We love when the ballpark can be a gathering place in the community for fun events that everyone can enjoy. We appreciate the partnership with the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Cactus Cares to create something that combines great food, great fun and great service to our community.”

Breweries included in the BBQ & Brew are SingleSpeed Brewing Co., Court Avenue Brewing, Kinship Brewing Company, Gezellig Brew Co., Adventurous Brewing, Big Grove Brewery, Confluence Brewing Company, Peace Tree Brewing Co. and Twisted Vine Brewery.

To get more information about BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark, visit IowaPork.org.