Santa Maria BBQ Festival Returns Welcoming Families For Free Music & Expanded Format
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The annual Santa Maria BBQ And Music Festival returns this weekend with a new and improved format.
This year the event is expanding from a one-day festival to an all-weekend experience.
This is the 8th annual event, it’s running all weekend this year, it’s the first time general admission to the park is free, and families are welcome to bring their kids.
World famous Santa Maria style barbecue is the star of the festival, but attendees will also now enjoy a wide variety of live music performances from local bands.
Also, a carnival atmosphere is featured for the first time, complete with rides.
“The carnival is brought to us by G&S, they are out of Southern California,” says event organizer Jaime Flores. “And then our local companies of Central City Entertainment and then Fuego Events are responsible for putting the event together.”
Live music performances include weekend headliners Los Hermanos Mendoza and reggae legend Pato Banton.
Other performances lined up include local band After Eight, popular 80’s tribute band The Molly Ringwald Project, and Santa Maria-based Mestizo.
“We’re showcasing barbecue all weekend long,” says Flores. “We have a ton of food trucks and vendors out here that will be selling barbecue all weekend long. And then, of course, the competition on Saturday starting at noon.”
Attendees can expect to pay for their tasting tickets and ride wristbands, which include tickets to the beer festival for those 21 and older.
“This is our first year,” says Rib Line owner and chef Brian Appiano. “We do so many weddings throughout the year that it’s hard for us to do competitions and some of these side events. But this year we made it happen. We pulled it together. So I’m stoked.”
Organizers say the free admission into the festival aims to make it more accessible for families. As much as barbecue enthusiasts, music fans and visitors from throughout the Central Coast and beyond.
“Everything about here is all family oriented,” says Appiano. “We’re gonna have great music. We’re gonna have fun games and rides, and then the best food you’re going to get on the Central Coast this weekend is right here.”
Weekend hours will be from 12 to 10 on Saturday and 12 to 9 on Sunday.
In addition to acting as a showcase for the city and region, the festival also benefits the Santa Maria Kiwanis For Kids program, which helps support programs and initiatives benefiting local children.
“Santa Maria weather,” says Flores. “So bring your hoodie in the evening, just bring some comfortable shoes and be ready to have a good time.”
For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here to visit the Santa Maria BBQ and Music Festival official website.
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