Carowinds Announces “Bands, Brews & BBQs”

As a native North Carolinian, I know there are three things that people in the Carolinas love; good music, good beer, and good barbecue.

(And yes, here, in the Carolinas, “Barbecue” is a food. It is not an event. That’s a cookout. It’s not a verb. That’s grilling.)

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Fresh off the success of the spring’s “Taste of the Carolinas,” Carowinds is holding an end of summer party, Bands, Brews and BBQs, beginning Friday, July 31. Bands, Brews and BBQs will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from July 31 through August 16.

“We are excited to continue the enhancements we have made this year to our culinary programs with the introduction of another signature food event.  It truly makes it a ‘best day ever’ park experience for our guests,” says Kris Suita, Carowinds executive chef.  “And after the positive response we received from our Taste of the Carolinas event this past spring, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to end the summer with something that defines the Carolina experience – mouthwatering BBQ.”

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Carowinds Executive Chef, Kris Suita. Photo ©Carowinds

Guests will be able to visit various booths that will serve smoked beef, pork and poultry starting at 11:00am on the days of the festival. Two custom smokers were built just for this event. From there, barbecue connoisseurs will visit a dedicated booth featuring 24 regional barbecue sauces, to coat their meats of choice.

There’s a great debate in the Carolinas about which Barbecue sauce is best. Some swear by the eastern North Carolina-style, which is a vinegar based sauce, while others prefer the Western NC tomato base. There is also the South Carolina mustard-based version of the sauce. I could go on, but bottom line, I’m sure that there will be sauces that will be pleasing to all taste buds!

There will also be approximately ten craft beer brands available for purchase as well. (For those 21 and over, of course.)

From country to rock, Carowinds has paired your favorite barbecue and brews with some amazing local bands that will perform each day of the event.

  • July 31 – Natty Boh Duo (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Tony Barnes (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • August 1 – Back Porch Orchestra (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Cho Cho Tumbleweed (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • August 2 – Tony Barnes (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Tim Elliot (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • August 7 – Cho Cho Tumbleweed (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Back Porch Orchestra (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • August 8 – Early Ray (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Chris Winward (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • August 9 – Chris Winward (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Tim Elliot (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • August 14 – Natty Boh Duo (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Unspoken Tradition (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • August 15 – Unspoken Tradition (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Chris Winward (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • August 16 – Chris Winward (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Tony Barnes (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Bands, Brews & BBQs is included with park admission. Food and beverages for the event are sold separately. For more information, be sure to visit www.carowinds.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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