In a video posted to its Instagram page, the 2nd Hand Smokers barbecue team shows a member opening the lid of a Big Green Egg grill to reveal a plump, golden brown crusted pork butt. A look of delight slowly transforms to a full serenade, as a tuxedoed keyboardist plays to dubbed Billy Joel’s “She’s Got a Way” in the candlelit night.
It’s an announcement for the team’s participation in this year’s Hogs for the Cause festival on the grounds of the UNO Lakefront Arena on April 4-5. The team came in second place in the social media category last year. But this year, it’s got its sights set on food categories.
“We hope to place in some cooking categories,” says team captain Chris Abide. “We’re improving each year. The biggest improvement is fundraising. Last year, we were at $20,000. This year, we’re already at $65,000-$70,000. We got a little organized this year.”
Spring ingredients are a welcome change from the hearty greens and root vegetables of winter.
The 2nd Hand Smokers are among 95 teams competing in the annual barbecue competition and music festival. The 16-year-old event was founded to raise money to help families with children battling pediatric brain cancer. The event has donated a total of more than $12.5 million.
2nd Hand Smokers was started roughly five years ago by Sean Lozes. The team is basically an extended group of friends split between New Orleans and the Northshore. As they’ve grown and become more organized, they’ve acquired a custom trailer rig with a smoker, fryer and flattop grill. It allows them to do pop-up fundraisers in advance of the festival. They recently sold pork belly burnt ends, chicken wings and pulled pork sandwiches at Bayou Daiquiris in Metairie.
Their menu and cooking are run by Harris Schwing, who’s not a professional chef or pitmaster but has a passion for cooking. At Hogs, they’ll serve his signature 2nd Hand Wings, tri-tip sandwiches and an item they’re calling brisket shotgun shells. They’re fresh ground brisket and cheddar cheese in a manicotti shell wrapped in bacon. On Saturday, they’ll serve ribs with sides of baked beans and mac and cheese, pork belly bao buns and pulled pork Philly sandwiches topped with cheese and caramelized onions and bell peppers.
At the festival, teams set up booths, from simple tents to three-story structures with themes reflecting the team’s identity. They serve all sorts of dishes, particularly items featuring pulled pork, ribs and pork belly. There are many creative and indulgent dishes, like bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos and bacon-wrapped Oreos. There also are many non-pork items and vegetarian dishes as well.
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The festival has three music stages, and the lineup is topped by country and Americana acts, such as singer-songwriter Charley Crockett, country and rock singer Stephen Wilson Jr., bluegrass and country star Zach Top, country singer Willow Avalon, and alt-country band The Droptines. The lineup also features blues rocker Eddie 9V, Brooklyn indie rockers Gooseberry, New Orleans funk band The Rumble and more.
The purpose of Hogs for the Cause is to raise money to assist families with children undergoing cancer treatment. The nonprofit organization recently announced a $1 million donation to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. It has previously donated funds to Children's Hospital New Orleans and Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital in Baton Rouge for housing for families with children at the facilities. It also has distributed $2.7 million through grants directly to families.
For tickets and information about the festival, go to hogsfest.org. For information about the nonprofit’s work and impact, go to hogsforthecause.org.
Matron closes the door, locks it — and maybe hides a key on the porch.
The Overlook Film Festival has a great lineup of more than 30 feature horror films.
