The world-famous 31st annual suckling pig dinner returns to West Michigan Beach

GRAND HAVEN, MI – The 31st annual world-famous Pedro's Pig Roast returns to Grand Haven this weekend to raise money for the Momentum Center and other mental health services in West Michigan.

All ages are invited to the event on Saturday, August 17, at City Beach, south of Grand Haven State Park. Cash donations of up to $10 are requested for admission.

This year there will be tug of war for kids, tie-dye activities, beach blanket bingo, hula dancing, a treasure chest, and the Chuckwagon Parade featuring pulled pork and other comfort foods like sliders, chicken, corn, and bratwurst.

Organizer Peter “Pedro” Stalzer said the focus is always on community, but it's also about having fun. A returning favorite, visitors can expect the release of doves and butterflies as a symbol of hope, peace and unity.

“There's just a whole lot of stuff that you don't see anywhere else,” Stalzer told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. “You get a lot of it. It's just a really cool event, very old school, almost like a field party brought to the beach.”

The party will kick off at 12pm with a performance of the National Anthem by Lisa Homik, followed by hula dancing with Minnie Morey and the Pacific Island Dancer and live music by the Velvet Mushroom Syndicate.

Stalzer wants the community to remember that this ongoing event is about having fun and not about the end result.

“You can raise money for charity, but it also allows the community to come together without something costing a fortune,” he said. “We build on the fun factor, that's the main thing. It's great fun for everyone.”

The community-wide party rages until 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

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