Those looking for a fun Saturday afternoon filled with good eats, live music, and adult beverages, all while raising money to support those in the community, can find it all and more at an annual event returning this weekend.

On March 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers, Lee BIA Builders Care will host the 15th annual BBQ, Bands & Brew fundraiser.

Southwest Florida’s top pitmasters will compete for the title of “Best BBQ in Town,” accompanied by a lineup of live performances, numerous vendors and fun-filled activities for all ages, including a bolstered children’s play area with face-painting, games and more.

“We are always excited about BBQ, Bands & Brew,” said Lee BIA Builders Care Executive Director Leigh Cloud. “It is one of our biggest fundraisers. The money that we raise goes back into Lee County to help our elderly and our disabled that need help with replacing roofs, repairing roofs, hot water heaters, building wheelchair ramps, you name it.”

Proceeds from the event support Builders Care’s mission to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means. To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has helped more than 500 Lee County households and provided more than $6 million in emergency construction services and materials at no cost to families and local homeowners in need. Since its inception, BBQ, Bands & Brew has raised more than $900,000 in support of Lee BIA Builders Care.

“We’re not funded by the state, we’re a 501(c)(3), so every dollar that we raise in any of our fundraisers, or donations made, it’s huge,” Cloud said. “Right now we’re helping a family that did not have water. Their well is dry and have been living without water for more than a year. It’s costly to replace, but we put in a new well for them and they have running water now. We’re also building a brand new home on a lot that Fort Myers gave Builder’s Care. The home will be pretend to a Vietnam War veteran at the end of April at no cost to him.”

The live performances lineup includes “Riverside,” “Deb and the Dynamics,” “Crossfire Creek,” and headliner “Hair Daze”

There will also be numerous vendors and fun-filled activities for all ages. 

Riverside performs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Deb and the Dynamics hit the stage from 1:15 to 2:30, Crossfire Creed performs from 3 to 4:15, and Hair Daze plays from 4:45 to 6. The event will be emceed by Big Mama.

“There will be music played that people know all the words to,” Cloud said. “There will be plenty of brew, and wine, and frozen drinks. There’s also a children’s section. It’s just a good family-fun event for all.”

Participating food vendors include Big Smoke BBQ & Catering, Herb’s BBQ and Rubs, Gator Creek BBQ Company, Brooke’s Nugget Wagon, Love Boat Ice Cream, Styx, Not Your Mama’s Kitchen, Smokin’ Crow’s BBQ, Taterz, and Kona Ice.

Cloud said the participating food vendors love getting to show their skills, as well as be part of a day that helps give back to the community.

“We’re doing trophies this year, so that’s a big thing. They’re competing for bragging rights,” she said. “They’re pumped and ready to go.”

Food will be judged by local celebrities into varying categories, and attendees will also get to cast their vote for their favorites. 

“You can come and you can vote on your favorite selection,” Cloud said. “I think that’s the one of the fun things about it is not only do we have the judges that get to taste all of the barbecue, but I think it’s just a blast that the community is part of that competition as well for the people’s choice.”

Lee BIA Builders Care offers a full range of no-cost emergency construction services to improve the safety and health for needy seniors and disabled individuals of all ages by enlisting the expertise and donated services and materials of contractors, sub-contractors and businesses. Builders Care is funded through financial donations, grants and donated services and materials to provide emergency construction services to qualified homeowners throughout the community. Lee BIA Builders Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization under the charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association.

BBQ, Bands & Brew tickets for adults are $23 (including taxes and fees). Admission is free for children 12 and under. The event is cashless. 

Volunteers are still needed. Those interested can arrive at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater the day before the event at 6 p.m. for instructions.  

Caloosa Sound Amphitheater is at 2101 Edwards Drive in Fort Myers. To purchase tickets and learn more about remaining sponsorship opportunities, visit leebuilderscare.com.

To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com