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Barbecue, live music, and local flavor return to Grand Boulevard.
The annual Grand Boulevard event brings together 18 barbecue competitors, live music, local vendors, and more to benefit The Sonder Project.
The 30A BBQ Festival, presented by 360 Blue, returns to the North Lawn at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin on Friday, November 6, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., bringing together barbecue, live music, local vendors, and community support for The Sonder Project.
General admission and VIP tickets are on sale now, with VIP guests receiving early access beginning at 5 p.m.
This year’s festival will feature 18 local and regional eateries serving unlimited barbecue samples while competing for the title of “Best BBQ.”
The lineup includes 850 Barbecue, Back Beach Barbecue, Cabana Café, Cajun Corner, Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue, H&N BBQ Co., Island Wing Company, LaCo, Local Smoke at The Big Chill, Moe’s Original BBQ, Signature Catering of 30A, Sons of Amvets Post 29, Sunset Slice and Scoop, Swiftly Catered, The Commissary, The Perfect Pig, The Village Door, and Vin’tij Food and Wine.
Festivalgoers will cast their votes to determine first-, second-, and third-place winners. A panel of guest judges will also sample the entries and award Judge’s Choice and Most Creative honors.
“The 30A BBQ Festival is truly a community event, bringing together local restaurants, businesses, volunteers and neighbors in support of our mission,” said Chad Zibelman, CEO of The Sonder Project. “It is also our largest fundraiser of the year, and with our biggest lineup of barbecue vendors yet, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for another incredible evening.”
Beyond the barbecue, guests can enjoy complimentary beer from Grayton Beer Company and wine from 30A, served at the Heritage 850 Plumbing & Gas bar. Water will be available courtesy of Grand Boulevard.
Jake’s Beach Service will outfit the North Lawn with complimentary seating for guests to relax and enjoy the evening’s live music.
New this year, local musician Brent Shaw will open the entertainment lineup. River Dan will then return to headline the festival stage for the third consecutive year, with the stage sponsored by Esteem Wealth Partners.
Guests can stop by a commemorative photo booth sponsored by 30A Luxury Vacations and browse local vendors throughout the evening, including The 30A Company, 30A Hat Bar, Dozer Custom Trucker Hats, Pool Captains, The Eye Gallery, and The Spark Collection.
Local artist Bradley Copeland will also create an original piece live during the festival. The finished artwork will be included in the silent auction alongside vacation stays, gift cards, gift baskets, jewelry, and other items.
All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit The Sonder Project.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at thesonderproject.org/BBQFEST.
General admission tickets are $70 and include festival entry, unlimited barbecue samples, and complimentary beer and wine. A limited number of tickets for children ages 12 and under are available for $20.
VIP tickets are $150 and include all general admission benefits plus early entry beginning at 5 p.m., giving VIP guests the first opportunity to sample dishes from the competing barbecue vendors.
VIP ticket holders will also have access to a private VIP Lounge with a full bar, additional seating with a prime view of the stage, a dedicated photo booth sponsored by Blankenship Watkins Advisory Group, and sweet treats from Kilwins Sandestin, courtesy of SOJO. VIP guests will also receive a special gift sponsored by Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa.
The festival benefits The Sonder Project, a Santa Rosa Beach-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to transform lives in Africa.
Since its founding in 2015, the organization has drilled 77 wells, providing clean water to more than 70,000 people; sponsored 458 students across 1,018 cumulative school years; distributed textbooks to more than 1,500 students; and maintained a community farm providing economic opportunity and food security for more than 1,000 people.
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