The Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market will kick off its inaugural season at City Plaza with a classic eastern North Carolina pig pickin’! The grand opening celebration will be a tribute to North Carolina agriculture and showcase one of North Carolina’s premier products, pork, and North Carolina’s favorite cuisine, BBQ! Thanks to Raleigh’s own pitmaster, Chef Ed Mitchell from the Pit, downtowners will enjoy his expertly prepared BBQ . The market opens at 10 am, but the celebration will officially kickoff when Mayor Meeker rings the market’s opening bell—the farmers markets version of a ribbon cutting. Market goers have the opportunity to learn firsthand the secrets of Ed Mitchell’s delicious BBQ from a demonstration. In addition to delicious BBQ, festival goers will enjoy the bluegrass music of Old Habits.