The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recognized local youth groups, civic clubs, volunteers,
sponsors and more at the Annual “Pigz Pay it Forward Dinner” on Tuesday evening. More than 100
attended the dinner held at Alice Hall Community Center. The Chamber hosts this dinner every year to
recognize volunteers and sponsors for their contribution to the Chamber’s signature event, Pigz in Z’Hills
BBQ & Blues Fest.

Chamber Recognizes Local Service Organizations and Scholarships

Attendance at this year’s 12 th Annual event held on Friday and Saturday, March 4 th, and 5 th at the
Zephyrhills Airport Venue, was counted just over 4,000. “An event this size doesn’t just happen,” said
Melonie Monson, Executive Director. “It takes thousands of volunteer hours and an amazing community
with the heart to give, to pull this off. We are blessed to live in a place where volunteerism is second
nature.”
Through Pigz in Z’Hills this year the Chamber recognized several volunteer groups who each spent
countless hours helping with the event: Zephyrhills Army JROTC, ZHS National Honor Society, Zephyrhills
Museum of Military History, Zephyrhills Noon Rotary, Arts in Motion, East Pasco YMCA, Metropolitan
Ministries at Restored Hope, and the Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association. Monson announced through the funds raised, the chamber will be giving out $3,000 in academic scholarships to
ZHS graduating seniors.
A fantastic dinner of pot roast, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, rolls and apple crisp for dessert
was donated by Golden Corral of Zephyrhills. The chamber staff and board of directors enjoyed thanking
the many volunteers and sponsors who made the event such a success. Monson also thanked the Greater
Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She stated that, “Many do not realize all that we
do at the chamber is done with the approval and guidance of this group of business people and
community leaders who give their time, wisdom, and experience to help us present a great event.”
The program was interrupted early on with pigz-related carnival games which resulted in six winners each
receiving a pig-shaped cutting board. Outstanding volunteer leads were recognized with various gifts
such as custom wooden BBQ scrapers, leather koozies, or tire gauges all inscribed with the Pigz in Z’Hills
logos. At the end of the evening anyone who had not received a gift was able to take a “pigz” souvenir
which was the State Championship custom-made BBQ sauce created by Rhino Smash. “We wanted
everyone to go home with something to show our appreciation for their time and effort.”, stated
Monson.
The night wrapped up with Monson expressing sincere gratitude for living in a wonderful community that
is willing to share of their time and talent, and an invite to come and be a part of the 13 th Annual Pigz in
Z’Hills which is being targeted for Friday and Saturday, January 13 th and 14 th , 2023.
The 12 th Annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest is a Florida Sports Coast event and is presented by the
Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the American Infrastructure Development, the City
of Zephyrhills, Duke Energy, Suncoast Credit Union, AdventHealth Zephyrhills, Golden Corral, Puro Clean,
Sonny’s BBQ, SouthState Bank, Bahr’s Propane Gas & AC, Chick-Fil-A, Sun State Aluminum, Tampa Type-
Print, and Tampa Bay Times.
For more information visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org, call (813) 782-1913, or visit our Facebook Page.