Show your love of country and all things BBQ and beer at the 2014 Great American Barbeque & Beer Festival

It’s that time of year again, time to get out in Chandler and take in all the best beer and barbeque. On Saturday, March 22nd from noon until 10pm, The Great American Barbeque & Beer Festival returns to downtown Chandler, brought to you by the HDE Agency.

As with previous years’ events you will be able to bring the whole family down and try out all sorts of BBQ treats as well as some of the best local beers the area has to offer. If that wasn’t enticing enough there will be award-winning musical acts. The Blues Traveler, yes you read that right, will be performing a live 2 hour set beginning at 8pm. Country performers Craig Campbell, Laura Walsh, and Georgia Chrome will be opening the musical portion of the event.

The event will feature 60 BBQ pit masters that plan to serve an astounding 20,000 pounds of BBQ as well as 200 kegs of craft beer from San Tan Brewing Company. You’ll find an array of BBQ offerings throughout the day; smoked tri-tip, skirt steak, brisket, BBQ chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, brats, wings, grilled corn, BBQ nachos, BBQ burritos and much, much more! There will even be opportunities for the more adventurous eaters. The Raging Cajun Smoking BBQ Station will be serving up bacon wrapped fried alligator.

Feeling competitive? Love brats, wings, pie and ribs so much you could eat a ton? You’re in luck as there will be contests taking place throughout the event. All you need to do is check in and sign up at the associated sponsors’ booth at least 30 minutes before the contest starts. One winner in each category will receive a $100 gift card.

Competitive Eating Contest Schedule:

3pm: Von Hanson’s Meat & Spirits brat eating contest

4pm: Hungry Monk’s wing eating contest

5pm: Tastebuds pie eating contest

6pm: Can’t Stop Smokin’ BBQ rib eating contest

While the focus is on food, there will be a variety of events that will appeal to everyone. Check out the SanTan Brewing Tailgater’s Lawn, Ultra Star March Madness Lounge, Chester’s Harley Davidson Pavilion, Porkopolis VIP Quarters, Dickel Hoedown Rodeo Zone, Bulleit Bourbon BBQ Pit Row, DC Farmers Market, and an expanded kid’s play zone.

Adult admission is only $10 and children 12 and under are free. You can purchase tickets at the door or online before the event. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Boot Campaign, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing assistance to wounded military and their families with job placement and securing mortgage free homes, post-traumatic stress disorder counseling, adaptive clothing and much more. For more information about the Boot Campaign, visit bootcampaign.com.