Lee BIA’s BBQ Bands & Brew set for Sunday
This year marks the 10th annual BBQ Bands & Brew, a fundraiser for Lee BIA Builders Care, which is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Sunday, April 7, at Centennial Park, 2000 W. First Street. Tickets are $10 a person, free for kids 12 years old and younger.
Lee BIA Builders Care Executive Director Becky Swift said the event began a decade ago as a way to make the community aware of Builders Care and what the organization does for the community. The event has grown every year since.
“We would like people to come and enjoy the day and the event,” Swift said.
The event will feature four bands, a dozen food vendors and various activities for children.
The first band to take the stage will be Chasin Dallas from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by The Echo from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Deb & The Dynamics will perform and Bite the Bullet will perform from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The food vendors include Addiction BBQ; The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen; Artisan Gelato by Norman Love; Big Smoke BBQ & Catering; BurgerQue; Dave’s Bangin’ BBQ; Gerry’s Firebread; Jonesez BBQ; Kona Ice and Scirrotto’s Cinnamon City.
The non-food vendors include Sattler’s Leather Crafts & Hats; Reel Islander Apparel; Paradise Hobbies; Costco; Homes for Heroes of Southwest Florida; EF Intercultural; Modern Woodmen of America and Storm Smart.
Swift said the event will feature a barbecue competition among the vendors, which includes such awards as Best BBQ in Town, Best Presentation and the People’s Choice Awards. She said as people pay for their tickets they will receive a token to vote for their favorite vendor.
There will also be a kid’s area with activities such as coloring, crafts, “tattoos,” a balloon artist and face painting.
A cornhole tournament will also be held, as well as raffles.
“It’s going to be a great event,” Swift said.
For more information, visit BBQBandsandBrew.com .
In 2005, as a way to give back to the community, Lee BIA Builders Care was formed to provide emergency construction services to older homeowners or those with disabilities. Swift said they provide a site visit for those who apply for assistance. She said they have to live in a single family residence, which they own, to be considered.
Through various partnerships in the community, as well as volunteers, they provide such services as handicap accessibilities and roof, plumbing and electrical repair, free of cost to the homeowner.
The proceeds from the BBQ, Bands & Brew event will go towards Lee BIA Builders Care to further its assistance for those in need.
For more information, visit www.LeeBuildersCare.com.