The Pit barbecue restaurant in downtown Raleigh’s Warehouse District will hold its inaugural ‘Cuegrass Festival, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday, April 4, with event proceeds benefiting Feed The Farm , a local non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to N.C. farmers in need.

The festival will be a family event, featuring live bluegrass music performances by three North Carolina bands — Old Habits, Filmore Valley Boys and Town Mountain. Of course, pitmaster Ed Mitchell will serve up his barbecue along with local beers from the LoneRider and Aviator breweries.

The ‘Cuegrass Festival will also feature the culmination of the “Pigs on Parade” silent auction coordinated by Whole Foods Market. Piggy banks that were painted by local artists are now on display and open for bids at The Pit. The artworks will be available for final bids at the ‘Cuegrass Festival.  Whole Foods will also provide small pigs statues for children to paint and take home, with other activities for children. Other event participants include the N.C. Museum of Natural Science, Raleigh Little Theatre, Feed The Farm and more.

The event will be held on the street outside The Pit at 328 W. Davie Street in downtown Raleigh, and is free and open to the public. Barbecued pork and ribs for sandwiches served hot off the cooker will go for $5 each, and local brews will be served for $5 each, with proceeds going to Feed The Farm. (The restaurant will also be open for regular business.) Bring your lawn chairs , grab some ‘cue and a brew, and sit back and enjoy an afternoon of live bluegrass music!

There are many options for parking. Of course, in the warehouse are there are many curbside spaces. However another option is to ride the free R-Line bus from a thousands of free parking areas around downtown. The nearest stop to the ‘Cuegrass Festival, R-12 (Amtrack) is just 1.5 blocks away.

The ‘Cuegrass Festival is sponsored by The Pit, an Empire Eats restaurant, with supporting sponsorship from Whole Foods Market, Coca-Cola, LoneRider Brewery and Aviator Brewing Company.