The sixth edition of the 30A BBQ Festival, presented by 360 Blue, raised a record-breaking $132,000 for The Sonder Project.
The sold-out, annual event took place on Friday, November 7 at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®, featuring 13 regional and local restaurants and catering companies, each competing for the title of “Best BBQ” chosen by the 1,000 guests in attendance. Participants included 3 Sons Bar-B-Q, Back Beach Barbecue, Bayside Café, Cajun Corner, Evie Mae’s Barbecue, The Gulf Club, Island Wing Company, Local Smoke at The Big Chill, Moe’s Original BBQ, Sons of AMVETS Post 29, Swiftly Catered, Uncle KÜ’s BBKÜ, and The Village Door. After enjoying unlimited samples of signature barbecue, the following winners were chosen:
1st Place People’s Choice Award: Sons of AMVETS Post 29
2nd Place People’s Choice Award: Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue
3rd Place People’s Choice Award: 3 Sons Bar-B-Q
A panel of judges also sampled the signature barbecue and chose their favorite overall “Judge’s Choice” winner as well as the winner of a new award, “Most Creative”. The winners chosen were:
Judge’s Choice Best BBQ Award: Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue
Judge’s Choice Most Creative Award: Back Beach Barbecue
“All of the BBQ Competitors are winners in our book,” said Chad Zibelman, CEO of The Sonder Project. “Each one donated their time and food to participate, and we are grateful for their support to help us empower communities in Africa.”
The Builders First Source Welcome Lounge, outfitted by Emerald Coast Florals and Event Design, greeted guests upon arrival before entering the bustling lawn area. Once admitted, attendees were met with the smoky scent of fresh barbecue and the sound of River Dan on the main stage, sponsored by David Scott Lee Buick GMC. In between the unlimited samples of barbecue, guests sipped on craft beer provided by Grayton Beer Company, wine from The 30A Company, and water provided by Grand Boulevard, each served at the Heritage 850 Plumbing & Gas Bar. Throughout the evening, guests also commemorated the event in the interactive photo booth, sponsored by Blankenship Watkins Advisory Group: Christie’s International Real Estate – Emerald Coast.
New this year, attendees had the opportunity to shop from a variety of local vendors including The 30A Company, Action Audio Visual, Bad Cards for Good Golfers, and Dozer Custom Trucker Hats. Local artist, Lindsay Tobias of Art by Doman, live painted a special Sonder Project-dedicated piece throughout the evening, which was later auctioned off during the silent auction. Guests placed their bids on a number of other items at the silent auction including vacation stays, gift cards, catered dinners, jewelry, and much more.
VIP guests enjoyed a private, exclusive area, presented by Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, The Agency of Northwest Florida Beaches, and Hotel Effie that featured a bonfire, s’mores, and reserved seating. There was also complimentary dessert by Kilwins Sandestin courtesy of SOJO, an exclusive VIP photo booth sponsored by Esteem Wealth Partners, and a special gift courtesy of Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. VIP guests had access to exclusive cocktails, poured by Tipsy Mule, featuring spirits from 30A Distilling, Campesino Rum, Distillery 98, and Penta Tequila, along with Birdie’s Cocktails and Palm Folly Hard Seltzer.
“The 30A BBQ Festival at Grand Boulevard is an event you just can’t miss,” said Jenny Taylor, general manager of Grand Boulevard. “The event was better than imagined, from the BBQ to local beer and spirits, and the live music from River Dan was perfection. A beautiful turn out all for an incredible cause, The Sonder Project. Grand Boulevard will continue to share our venue with this impactful event.”
All proceeds raised from the silent auction, ticket sales, and donations, went directly to The Sonder Project to support their mission to empower impoverished communities through high-impact, sustainable development by providing access to clean water, education, and sustainable agriculture in West and Southeast Africa. The $132,000 raised will make a huge impact in support of The Sonder Project’s work to provide clean water through the drilling of wells and the installation of solar water systems, which currently support over 68,000 people, in addition to sponsoring the education of over 200 students a year, and supporting a Sonder Project Community Farm providing food security and economic opportunity for over 1,000 people.
“This year, The Sonder Project is celebrating our 10-year anniversary, and we can’t think of a better way to mark this milestone than a record-breaking BBQ Festival that will help us continue to transform more lives,” Zibelman said. “We are so grateful for the strong community support from the 30A area to make this possible. See you next year!”
30A BBQ Festival would like to thank the additional businesses and individuals that supported and sponsored this year’s event, 20/30north Studios, The 30A Company, 30A Distilling, 30A Girls Who Eat, 30A Hat Bar, 30A Power Yoga, 360 Blue, Ambrosia, Barker Williams & Shoreline Title, Bay Area Awards, Beard Equipment, Boshamps, Bracken Law, Cafe Thirty – A, Cantina Laredo, Christopher Holbrook, Cinders and Salt, Community Bank, Costa McDonald’s, Cultural Art Alliance, EZ-PZ Recycling, Fine Coastal Cuisine Professional Chef Services, Fore Her, Hufham Farris, Jake’s Beach Service, Jeremy Walton, Jonah Allen, Kendra Scott, Life Media, Lisa Rogers Photography, Mary Beth Myrick, Myst 30A, Optikk 30A, Panache Tent and Event, Pure and Couture, Regatta Bay, Restaurant Paradis, Romanski Electric, Royal Destinations, Serenity Smiles, Stallworth, Studio Thirty-A, Supreme Paper, The 850 Foodie, To Do In Destin, VIE Magazine, VIP 30A Magazine, VIP Destin Magazine, Visit South Walton, and YOLO.