Meet the Chair: Mark Whitesell of the Jamestown Pig Pickin’

The 13th annual Jamestown Pig Pickin’ will be held October 29, 2022. The traditional Southern barbecue bash allows attendees to enjoy live music and locally made pulled pork and chicken — all while supporting Family Service of the Piedmont’s efforts to build safe and healthy families in the Triad. Learn more and register at fspcares.org/jpp.

Mark Whitesell and his wife, Kathy, pictured, go all out for each year’s Jamestown Pig Pickin’! The 2021 event had a derby-inspired “Hats and Hogs” theme.

Join them on October 29 to see what they have in store for this year’s masquerade theme!

How long have you been involved with the Jamestown Pig Pickin’?

I have been involved as a committee member for 10 years in a row. This is the 5th time I have chaired the event in 10 years.

What do you like about this event?

I have really enjoyed seeing the Jamestown Pig Pickin’ grow from a few people to over 700. We are all so busy these days that we don’t have time to get with all our friends anymore. I love getting together with all my friends at this event. I love seeing people after the event and they always say, “This event gets bigger and better every year.” With that said, getting bigger means more money raised for Family Services of the Piedmont. FSP served over 19,000 clients in our community last year by providing shelter and support for community members suffering from domestic violence, child abuse, mental health issues and financial instability. And the agency did so with an extremely low 14 percent operating cost. So 86 cents out of every dollar we receive goes DIRECTLY to fund programs for children and families.

How would you describe the Jamestown Pig Pickin’ to someone who has never attended?

The event will start with a pre-party called the “Swine Soiree” at 4 p.m. for any sponsorships of $2,500 and above. The actual party will start at 5 p.m. We will have live music and all the barbeque/chicken you can handle courtesy of Barbeque Joe, along with all the fixin’s you would ever want! Oh yeah, let’s don’t forget the beer and wine to quench your thirst. An online auction and raffle will offer some great opportunities for travel and entertainment as well as gifts galore.

Is there anything else you want people to know?

This year’s party will be the best ever because it is being held on October 29th and the theme is “Pigs & Pumpkins: Masquerade Madness.” We are encouraging everyone to wear a costume because the committee will announce during the party who they think is the person(s) with the best costume!