Pig Out on Pork, Pour Back the Booze and Rock Out

Attention teetotalers and vegetarians: This is not the event for you.

Sure, you could grab a black bean burger from the Emory and come just for the music, but the inaugural Pig & Whiskey event is an unabashed celebration of, well, barbecued pork and hard liquor.

The festival, put on by the Metro Times in collaboration with , will feature food from 11 local meat emporiums, plus Ferndale’s own micro creamery, , which will no doubt whip up some sort of barbecue-flavored ice cream.

There will also be a couple of dozen brands of whiskey, scotch and bourbon on hand to sample.

Why whiskey? Quite simply: “It sounded like a good time,” said Chris Sexson, publisher of the Metro Times. “We have been launching a new event every year. Ale Fest was the first, Vodka Vodka and now Pig & Whiskey.”

Because of their existing relationship, Sexson brought in Chris Johnston, co-owner of the WAB and the , and decided to locate the event on Troy Street, between the two bars (where the annual DIY Street Fair [DIYSF] is held).

“We have access to a very unique location in Ferndale, in addition to our experience putting on the DIYSF,” Johnston said. "Plus, Metro Times has been a major sponsor of DIYSF, so when (Sexson) pitched the idea of putting Pig & Whiskey together, and it sounded like a great idea.”

So there’s pig, whiskey and what else?

In addition to whiskey and barbecue, which will be available from noon-8 p.m., there will also be some great rock 'n' roll to entertain you while you chow down and knock ‘em back. Beginning at 5 p.m., local bands Dutch Pink (check out the story on Dutch Pink in today's Ferndale Patch), Big Mess, FAWN will perform (along with rumored appearances by The High Strung, Grande Nationals and Luder). The Detroit Cobras headline the show at 9:45 p.m.

But wait, you may be thinking: "I thought the whiskey stopped being served at 8 p.m. What do we drink while dancing to the Cobras at 10 p.m.?"

The answer should excite anyone who, like me, simply can’t do a shot of whiskey without gagging — beer, of course. A beer tent will stay open throughout all the musical acts, with selections from the WAB, Atwater, Shorts, Big Sky, Lagunitas and Liberty Street breweries. Fuze will also have its fruity beverages on hand for those who don’t drink or need to hydrate.

Tell us the whiskeys and barbecue joints, already!

The spirits available will include: Maker's Mark, Red Stag, Devils Cut, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Jameson, Canadian Mist, Anniversary, Early Times, Gentlemen Jack, Jack Daniel's, Old Forester, Southern Comfort, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Dewar's and New Holland Distillery. Barbecue fare will be available from Detroit BBQ Co., Lazybones Smokehouse, Lockhart’s BBQ, Mudgie's Deli, Real Bar BQ, Red Smoke Barbeque, Roundhouse BBQ, Rub BBQ, 2009 Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the Year Roast and 2011 Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the Year Union Woodshop.

And it’s all for a good cause

If the meat, booze and rock 'n' roll don’t tickle your fancy (or even if they do), you should know that a portion of Pig & Whiskey proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southeastern Michigan, which creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children.

“Ronald McDonald House does a great service to the community,” said Sexson. “Their facilities are tremendous, and their support and hard work often goes unnoticed. We have worked with them in the past, and when this event started to come together, it was unanimous that we wanted to show them our support.”

Whiskeys will be available to sample by purchasing drink tickets. Drink tickets cost $2.50 for one ticket or $20 for 10 tickets. All beer tent selections are two tickets for a 16-ounce cup. Restaurant samples will be available via cash purchase for around $2. Some restaurants will offer larger plates for around $7.