The sweet smell of barbeque smokers filled the air in downtown Tampa last Saturday when the 2023 edition of Tampa Pig Jig went down at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

The festival, in its 12th year, brought BBQ teams to compete—with MiMetals and Canteen taking first for brisket and ribs, respectively—plus bands like Amanda Shires, Brad Paisley, Riley Green, The Head and the Heart, plus Shovels & Rope to entertain for the afternoon.

All told, the nonprofit festival raised more than $2 million to help fund research for a rare kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, with Whitney Logistics claiming the Top Hog, biggest fundraiser award.

Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Riley Green Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Riley Green, who plays Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, Florida on Dec. 3, 2024. Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Riley Green, who plays Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on Aug. 10, 2024. Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Shovels & Rope Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder
Credit: Photo by Cassidy Kidder

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...