Savor the Flavors

7th annual Barbecue, Bands & Brew is fun, helps disadvantaged

The smell of sizzling barbecue, a chilled beverage and the sound of American rock music always mean a fun Sunday. The Lee Building Industry Association, or BIA, is hosting its seventh BBQ, Bands & Brew fundraiser, from 11 a.m. through 6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 3, to benefit Builders Care, the nonprofit arm of BIA.

Christi Pritchett Sarlo, Lee BIA Builders Care executive director, says the event is the group’s chief fundraiser to help the disadvantaged. “We assessed many events at the beginning, but wanted to do something different,” she says.

After initially matching the three elements of food, drink and music, deciding where was next. “We wanted an outside venue with a central location that had a community feel,” Sarlo says of the Lee County Alliance for the Arts amphitheater in Fort Myers, which each year welcomes all ages.

Visitors can gather at the tents or take blankets or chairs to enjoy four local bands—Alter Ego Band, Deb & The Dynamics, Rocker, and Soapy Tuna—and indulge in a variety of barbecue from at least a dozen vendors who must not only satisfy their guests, but celebrity judges, as they compete for the best barbecue in town award.

Admission proceeds—$10 per person—sponsorships and vendor fees benefit Builders Care. The organization provides emergency home repair and renovations for Lee County elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged. Sarlo says the group since 2005 has assisted 250 families with such simple repairs as a ramp or as large as complete home makeovers. “We definitely hope to have a record breaking year and raise $75,000,” Sarlo says.

Details are at bbqbandsandbrew.com.