The sixth annual 30A BBQ Festival raised a record $132,000 for The Sonder Project, a nonprofit that provides clean water, education and sustainable agriculture in West and Southeast Africa.
- The sold-out event drew 1,000 people to Grand Boulevard at Sandestin on Nov. 7, where 13 regional restaurants competed for best barbecue honors.
Sons of AMVETS Post 29 won the People’s Choice Award, while Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue took both second place in the people’s vote and the Judge’s Choice Best BBQ Award. Back Beach Barbecue won the new Judge’s Choice Most Creative Award.
The Sonder Project uses proceeds to drill wells and install solar water systems that currently serve more than 68,000 people. The organization also sponsors education for over 200 students annually and operates a community farm serving 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,” said Chad Zibelman, the nonprofit’s CEO.
The festival featured unlimited barbecue samples, craft beer from Grayton Beer Company, live music and a silent auction. Competing restaurants 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, Swiftly Catered, Uncle KÜ’s BBKÜ and The Village Door.
3 Responses
Charity begins AT HOME.
They couldn’t find a local charity to support?
It’s charity, they can support whatever they want. The people that want to pay to support it, can do the same. And if you have a local charity to support, you are blessed to be able to do so as well.