‘Our family history’: Local gyro maker remembers 43 years of Pig Out in the Park

SPOKANE, Wash, — Spokane’s annual six-day food and free music festival is back. Karim Azar has been selling his locally famous gyros at Pig Out In The Park since the event started 43 years ago.

Azar, who has sold food at food festivals across the county, says Pig Out remains his favorite. “Pig Out is one of the first that is for everyone,” said Azar.

Pig Out has become a part of Azar’s family history. Although his children now live all across the nation, they always come back to Spokane for Pig Out.

“In this part of the year, they all join here to join the celebration of the Pig Out.” Azar’s kids now run booths next to his.

At Azar’s first Pig Out, there were around 6 vendors. Today, there are 65 food booths, 150 free concerts, five beer gardens, and 45 public market booths.

To top things off, the event has an electric atmosphere.

“Everybody is laughing here…smiling faces. You don’t have to know anybody. It is life you know.”

Pig Out goes from Wednesday, August 28 to Monday, September 2. The festival has a special $6 eats deal, which runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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