40th annual Pigskin Pig-Out Party set for April 25-26

The 40th Annual Great Pirate Purple/Gold Pigskin Pig-Out Party is scheduled for April 25-26. The Pigskin Pig-Out, sponsored by Piggly Wiggly, is a family-oriented festival-style event surrounding the annual ECU Purple-Gold Spring Football Game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

The 40th Annual Pigskin Pig-Out will again feature a weekend of barbecue with the famous pig cookin’ contest, tailgating with friends and family, PeeDee’s birthday party, and carnival-like fun for all ages. Pirate baseball will play host to Tulane with games Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Lewis Field inside Clark-LeClair Stadium. The Pirates lacrosse team will be in action on Saturday against James Madison at Johnson Stadium.

Other scheduled activities for the weekend include the annual Pirate Club Golf Tournament at Brook Valley Country Club, Pig Out Your Ride Car Show, Vendor Palooza, Touch-Arrrgh-Truck event and a meet & greet with head coach Blake Harrell and the 2025 Pirates.

Serving as the centerpiece of the festivities however will be the Purple & Gold Spring Game, which is slated for a 12:00 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, April 26. Admission is free to the contest and fans will be allowed on the field at the conclusion of the game to get autographs from players and coaches.

“We’re thrilled to bring Pirate Nation together once again for the Piggly-Wiggly Purple & Gold Spring Game and all the exciting events we have lined up for the weekend,” said Jon Gilbert, ECU Director of Athletics. “There will be live entertainment, barbecue, football, and a chance for our fans to meet the 2025 football team.”

Award-winning Eastern Carolina-style barbecue and sides are available in three different portions, starting at $12 (single-serving), $25 (tailgate package) and $90 (4-gallon bucket). All BBQ options can be pre-ordered by calling the ECU Athletics Ticket Office at (252) 737-4500.

The Pirate Golf Classic will lead off the activities with a shotgun start Friday morning at Brook Valley Country Club before the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium gates open later in the day at 12:00 p.m. Registration for the Pirate Golf Classic is now open on the ECU Pirate Club website at: ecupirateclub.com/GolfClassic.

Cooker registration is now open, and individuals and/or teams are encouraged to register early for the 40 cooking slots. An entry fee of $250 has been established per chef. Cooks with varying levels of experience can choose which category to compete in: Gold (serious/experienced) or Purple (casual/novice).

The Vendor application along with registration links for the Touch-Arrrgh Truck, Pig Out Your Ride Car Show, Pig Cooker Sign Up, Pirate Golf Classic as well as additional information and schedule updates can be found by clicking the Pigskin Pig-Out Page.

7:30 AM: Pirate Golf Classic (Brook Valley Country Club) – Registration Link

12 Noon: Pig Cooking Venue Opens for setup (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, North Side) – Sign Up Link

5:00 PM: Cooks Meeting (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium North Side)

6:00 PM: ECU Baseball vs. Tulane (Clark-LeClair Stadium)

6:00 PM: Parade of Pigs (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium North Side, Gate 10)

9:00 PM: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Closed to Public