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Editor’s note: The Virginia Pork Festival has no future plans for another event. The organizers have announced that after 44 years, the festival has come to a close. The below information is for previous years.
For forty-three years the Virginia Pork Festival has drawn thousands with the smells of pork dishes and the sound of live music. One of the East Coast’s largest food festivals, the event’s main goal is to promote the pork industry, but it has a strong community vibe as well.
Local club and civic organization members double as chefs as they cook and serve to raise money for their respective causes. The simple beauty of the event is perhaps best captured in the instructions on the festival’s official page: “Bring a lawn chair, grab a plate and enjoy the music.”
The Virginia Pork Festival Dates and Location
The Virginia Pork Festival is held at the Greensville County Ruritan Club in Emporia, VA June 14, 2017.
The Virginia Pork Festival Lineup
Along with over 30 different dishes and 43,000 pounds of pork, festival goers can look forward to performances from bands including The Embers, Strictly Bizzness, Soul Expressions and The Feature Attraction Band. Check out the festival’s entertainment page for more information.
All of that food and music can be a lot to handle. Check out the festival’s Pro Tips page for some inside advice on how to handle it all.
The Virginia Pork Festival Tickets
General admission tickets can be purchased through the festival’s ticket page, it’s Eventbrite page or by phone, by calling 434-634-6611.
General Admission – $35
VIP Parking – $25
Getting to and From the Virginia Pork Festival
A small town of just over 5,000 people, Emporia is by no means a transportation hub and festival goers not familiar with the town will almost certainly arrive via I-95, which the town conveniently borders.
Air – The Richmond International Airport is the best option for those making a longer trek. From the airport, Emporia is just an hour’s drive south down I-95.
Car – As mentioned above, Emporia is right off I-95 and cars arriving from the north or south will almost certainly use I-95. Highway 58 is the best route for those coming from the Virginia Beach area.
Bus – Greyhound Bus Lines buses stop in Emporia, but the routes are remote and inconvenient. Driving is a much safer bet.
Where to Stay for the Virginia Pork Festival
Accommodations in Emporia are limited to modest highway stop hotels and inns. That means there are plenty of convenient options that put you within striking distance of the festival, but if you’re looking for a comfortable Airbnb or a nice Couchsurfing host, then you’re out of luck. No-frills convenience is the name of the accommodations game in Emporia.
The official hotel of the Virginia Pork Festival is the Hampton Inn of Emporia where rooms start at $235 per night.
Another convenient option is the Holiday Inn Express, also along I-95. Rooms start at $117 and the pool might be a nice relief after a day of summer Virginia heat.