NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Hogs for the Cause completed its 17th year with sold out crowds, nearly 100 competing barbecue teams, three stages of nationally- and regionally-recognized bands and a record-shattering $5.25 million raised for families with sick children. The event has come a long way from its humble beginnings 17 years ago with one family helped, one pig cooked, and $7,500 raised. Hogs for the Cause XVII took place on April 4 – 5 at UNO Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds with sold-out crowds and an incredible line-up of musical talent. The Hogs organizers have announced the names of the Manning Family Children’s Grand Champion, category winners, and top fundraisers for the 2025 Ben Sarrat, Jr. Cook-Off.
“To date, we have given a remarkable $12.5 million to families fighting pediatric brain cancer and funded impactful hospital projects nationwide to ease the financial burden for families with sick children. With this event’s continued success, we’re ready to accomplish even more,” said Becker Hall, CEO and co-founder of Hogs in a release. “I’m amazed by the monumental generosity and compassion of our teams, attendees, sponsors, and staff. The amount of good we will achieve with these funds is staggering. I want to thank everyone who made this possible.”
“We visit hospitals across the country asking, ‘What’s your moonshot idea?’ said Rene Louapre, COO and co-founder of Hogs for the Cause. “John’s Hopkins All Children’s was to renovate existing rooms to create a space for families receiving treatment there. That fits with our mission, and now it’s our next Hogs House facility, making it our third so far.”
“An absolutely amazing accomplishment by the world’s most devoted fundraisers,” said Zandy Rainold, Hogs chairman of the Board. “This represents a stunning 25% increase over last year’s record-breaking festival, driven by two amazing individual fundraisers, Luke Guarisco and Robby Moss raised over $100,000 each.”
The 17th Annual Ben Sarrat, Jr. Cook-Off featured nearly 100 teams. The BBQ competitors vied for the title of Manning Family Children’s Grand Champion, along with champions in the categories of Whole Hog, Ribs, Pork Butt/Shoulder, and Porkpourri (anything pork) divisions. There are also awards for Best Sauce, Blue Plate Mayonnaise Best Side, Irpino Avin Hawkins Best Bacon, “Just Winging It” presented by TABASCO, Louisiana Tourism Fan Favorite, Best Friday Night Party, Best Booth, Best Social Media, and Fundraising Champion.
Each year, Hogs for the Cause inductsindividuals into its Hog of Fame.
This award represents continued dedication and service to the Hogs organization.
This year’s Hog of Fame inductees:
Ryan Eustis, Hogs VP of Fundraising
Rick Murphy, Swine Krewe
Chris and Jennifer Vicknair, Chits & Piggles
Clay Koenig, Hogwatch
Ryan Kenter, The Boar’s Nest
Paul Dufour, Piggy Stardust
Luke Guarisco, Devil Moon BBQ
Manning Family Children’s High on the Hog winners are:
Manning Family Children’s Grand Champion: Hog Addiction
Whole Hog: Hog Addiction
Ribs: Pork Illustrated
Pork Butt/Shoulder: Fire & Spice
Porkpourri: Sir-Pork-A-Lot
Best Sauce: Chew Forks Farms
Blue Plate Mayonnaise Best Side: Team Stabbin
Irpino Avin Hawkins Best Bacon: House of Hogs
“Just Winging It” presented by TABASCO: Fire & Spice
Fan Favorite: Pork Belly Cartel
Friday Night Party: The Boar’s Nest
Best Booth: House of Hogs – Jurassic Pork
Best Social Media: 2nd Hand Smokers
Top fundraising teams:
Fundraising Champion: Fleur De Que $750,000
Hogwatch $350,000+
The Boar’s Nest $275,000+
Team March of the Pigs $275,000+
Morten Andersen’s Mullets $250,000+
Teams that raised over $100,000:
Bark & Bite BBQ
Devil Moon BBQ
Glazed & Confused
Deswine Intervention
Swine Krewe
River Pork Pilots
House of Hogs
Piggy Stardust
Hoggystyle
Mr. Pig Stuff
Mr. Pigglesworth
Teams that raised over $50,000:
2nd Hand Smokers
Swine and Dine
Irish Brew BBQ
The Hogfather
Porktoberfest
The Pig Easy
Captain Porkenheimer
Pork Belly Cartel
Sir-Pork-A-Lot
Mazant National
Hog Addiction
Porkchopitoulas
Chew Forks Farms
Wootay BBQ
Pig Latin
Smokeshow Cook Squad
The Last Mr. Pigg
PigLit
Teams that raised over $40,000:
Gootee Que
Crescent City Couyons
Lard and In Charge
Sweet Swine O’Mine
Deuce Pigalow Pork Gigolo
Hog Dat Nation
Swineaux
Pork Illustrated
That’ll Do Crew
Teams that raised over $30,000:
Sport Porkin’
Fire & Spice
PorkHub
Three Pig Mafia
Que Dat
B-Mac’s Hog Huddle
Teams that raised over $20,000:
Rugaroux Q
Carnivore Carnival (The Shed BBQ)
Aporkalypse Now
The Pig Lebowski
Mississippi Bacon Association
Sixteen Cracklins
Pork Funk All Stars
Hupigs
Team Stabbin
David Hasselhogs
Rubbed the Right Way
Ubons
All Hail The Curly Tail
Chits & Piggles
Hogs for the Cause 2025 Sponsors:
Manning Family Children’s
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Miller High Life
Phelps
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
Luzianne Tea
Irpino Avin Hawkins Law Firm
Blue Plate Mayonnaise
Tabasco
Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company
Guste Plastic Surgery
Uniti Fiber
La Vieille Ferme
B&B Charcoal
Pit Boss
