Hogs for the Cause returns for 17th year

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Pork paradise has returned as hogs for the cause comes to the UNO lakefront for its 17th year, and this time, 89 teams are here competing for the top prize.

“We have fireball pork belly bites, which are marinated in fireball, like the alcohol, and then they’re fried, and so it’s delicious. It leaves a good cinnamon flavor. We have ribs, pulled pork, pulled pork donuts,” Mr. Pigglesworth team member Taylor Hunn said.

“Burnt ends is best seller. We’re actually sold out already. We got some desserts, bacon topped desserts, pastalaya,” Pork Illustrated team member Evan Fitzpatrick said.

While those teams cook, you can be sure there are thousands of people who come to eat.

Hogs for the cause is more than just a pork paradise though, as it’s one of the largest fundraisers in Louisiana, raising over $12.5 million for families battling pediatric brain cancer since 2009.

“We couldn’t do this without our teams. I say that and we 100% mean it. There’s 89 teams in this yard. They’re here to have fun this weekend, but they know what we’re doing, and they are invested not only in this event, but our cause and our organization,” Hogs for the Cause Co-Founder Rene Louapre said.

The fundraiser’s latest gift is a $1 million donation to John Hopkins All children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, to help build the third hog’s house which will serve as housing for patients and their families receiving long-term hospital care.

“It’s going to be a great property. It’s going to get remodeled. We’ve toured it. It’ll provide a wonderful housing option especially for families, especially whose children are undergoing things like bone marrow transplants who need to be in a very safe and sterile environment, so we couldn’t be more excited for that project,” Louapre said.

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