The 3rd Annual Great American BBQ & Beer Festival Doubles Up On Space

The Great American Barbeque & Beer Festival Doubles Up on Space, BBQ, Beer and Fun for Third Annual Event in Downtown Chandler.

Chandler, Az – Professionally produced by HDE Agency, the Great American Barbeque & Beer Festival has received designation as an official centennial event in the City of Chandler for 2012 with more than double the event space, food vendors and kegs of beer. To accommodate the growing number of BBQ fans, the festival will span the entire AJ Chandler Park East and West as well as connecting Arizona Ave., which will be closed from Buffalo St. to Boston St. for the festivities.

Set to dominate the streets of downtown Chandler on March 24, 2012 from noon-8 p.m., the sweet aroma of BBQ will fill the air when thousands of hungry festival goers will be out in full force enjoying the food, craft beer, live entertainment, kid’s zone, farmer’s market and eating competitions.

HDE Agency is pulling out all the stops this year with a massive event planned that includes over 100 exhibitors, nearly 50 BBQ vendors from across Arizona serving up more than 20,000 lbs of mouth-watering pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket and chicken – paired with the state’s finest craft beers. Some of the companies serving up their award winning BBQ this year include Honey Bears BBQ, Tom’s BBQ, Steel City BBQ, Catalina BBQ Company, Sally’s BBQ, Bill Johnson’s Big Apple, Chandler BBQ Company, McReynolds Farms, Jed’z BBQ Company, AZ BBQ Club, Brown Bear BBQ and many more.

To wash it all down, more than 300 kegs of ice cold craft beer will pour through the Great American Barbeque & Beer Festival like gold from the San Tan Mountains. SanTan Brewing Company is set to feature their four core brands, all pair well with the sweet and savory flavors of BBQ fixings. Also available will be the World Class Drink Local brands serving Sonoran Brewing, Grand Canyon Brewing, Papago Brewing and Thunder Canyon Brewing.

Other Great American Barbeque & Beer Festival highlights include two national headlining bands (soon to be announced) and a local frequency stage. Also, put your super grubbing skills to the test for a chance at some great prizes in the pie eating, wing eating and bratwurst eating competitions—get ready to loosen your belt for this one!

“This festival is about food and fun,” said Landon Evans of HDE Agency. “No table etiquette needed, you can eat with your hands, wipe your mouth on your sleeve and lick your fingers clean before wiping them on your pants. I just want folks to enjoy the experience and have a great time!”

Admission to this family-friendly event is only $10 per person and children 12 and under are FREE. Event sponsor, Bashas’ will offer $8 admission tickets on sale at all Valley locations in February, while supplies last. Food, beverages and vendor items will be sold separately by vendors on a cash basis. For more event information and to purchase tickets visit www.chandlerbbq.com. Also, be sure to like this event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bbq.beer.music for entertainment announcements, a chance to win free tickets and for more event details as they roll out.

The Great American Barbeque & Beer Festival official sponsors include Bashas’, Verizon Wireless, BBQ Island, Big Two Toyota, Bulleit Bourbon, Chandler Harley Davidson, Courtyard by Marriott, Discount Cab, Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, Glaceau Smartwater, Phoenix New Times, Popchips, Red Bull, Renewal by Anderson, SanTan Brewing, Von Hanson’s Meats & Spirits, World Class Beverages and AZ BBQ Club.

A portion of the proceeds from the Great American Barbeque & Beer Festival will benefit the Downtown Chandler Community Foundation (DCCF), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable foundation. The DCCF is responsible for the fundraising activities of the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership (DCCP). They provide a conduit for grants and sponsorships from public agencies, corporations, foundations and other sources for dissemination to the District and community organizations. For more information about the DCCF visit http://www.downtownchandler.org/downtown-chandler-community-foundation.