Spring is in the air on Delmarva, which means locals and visitors to our area are itching to get outdoors to enjoy life on the Eastern Shore. There are several staple events that we enjoy this time of year, from Boardwalkin’ for Pets in Ocean City to WineFest in St. Michaels to May Day Play Day in Berlin. Pork in the Park is another favorite, promising two-days of family fun, live music and entertainment, and plenty of delicious food! Pork in the Park returns this weekend, April 23 and 24, and we can’t wait to sink our teeth into this year’s lineup.
When: Saturday, April 23 (11am until 10pm) and Sunday, April 24 (11am until 5pm)
Where: Winterplace Park, Salisbury, MD (6737 Blue Ribbon Road, Salisbury, MD)
Cost: Admission is $3 for adults; Kids 12 & Under are Free
What: In a nutshell, Pork in the Park is a two-day event for the entire family to enjoy, featuring plenty of delicious food, but also live entertainment, kids activities, craft vendors, and BBQ competitions.
Schedule: Saturday’s fun lasts from 11am until 10pm, with Sunday’s activities set from 11am until 5pm.
Saturday:
11am until Dusk: Rommel’s Ace Inflatable Park & Roaming Railroad
12pm until Dusk: Ballonville (weather dependent)
12-2pm: Fabulous Face & Body Airbrush Painting
1-3pm: Awesome Balloon Creations
1-3pm: Eastern Shore Wing Competition
1pm: First Position Performance Troupe
1:45pm: Animal Show with Ranger Bob
2:30pm: Carlos the Juggler
3:15pm: Feet of Fire
4-4:30pm: Sunshine Comedy Show
4:45pm: Mitchell’s Martial Arts
5-7pm: Pork War
8:30pm: Balloon Glow
Sunday:
11am-5pm: Rommel’s Ace Inflatable Park & Roaming Railroad
12pm-5pm: Balloonville (weather dependent)
1pm: K-9 Demo
1:30pm: Pet Look-A-Like Contest
2pm: Pet Parade
2:30pm: Animal Talent Show
3pm: Animal Show with Ranger Bob
3:30pm: Birds of Prey Show with the Salisbury Zoo
What We’re Looking Forward To: Everything! For parents, we suggest attending the Kids Corner, which includes plenty of kid-friendly fun from face painting to juggling. Sunday’s Kids Corner is pet friendly and includes a Pet Parade and Pet Look-A-Like Contest, as well as an Animal Show and Birds of Prey Show.
New this year is Balloonville, while will include six different hot air balloons. Options include exploring the inside of a hot air balloon, taking a tethered ride, or signing up for a passenger flight.
Food! It is Pork in the Park after all, so expect plenty of it. In addition to countless vendors selling their best fare, there’s also the Eastern Shore Wing War and Pork War to enjoy. Sample the best wings on the Eastern Shore as restaurants compete for your vote or enjoy the People’s Choice Pork Competition & Beer Pairing. The Pork War includes a sampling of four pulled pork and beer pairings (Pepsi and water is available for those under 21).
Parking: Free parking is available on site and there is plenty of it! Parking attendants will be on the site to direct traffic and parking.
Rain or Shine?: Yes, this is a rain or shine event, but fingers crossed for a beautiful weekend on Delmarva!
Dog Friendly?: Dogs are encouraged to attend the festival on Sunday during the pet-friendly events, which includes a Pet Look-A-Like Contest and Pet Parade.
Additional Information: For more on this year’s Pork in the Park Festival, visit www.porkinthepark.org.
