Food, charitable festivals, and family-friendly fun bring people together more than almost anything. We see the blend of these three elements come together with the 2014 Naptown barBayq, happening in early May. It’s an inexpensive, low key, high fun type of event that welcomes all sorts of festival-goers. Keep reading and you’ll be persuaded to buy your ticket today!
What is it?
The 4th Annual barBayq is titled as a contest and music festival, but for many, food takes the forefront. For others, the impetus to attend is the good causes the event benefits–mainly Anne Arundel Medical Center Pediatrics Emergency Inpatient Unit, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, just to name a few.
Live music happens around the clock both Saturday and Sunday, starting at noon and ending at 6 or 9 p.m., depending on the day. Three stages boast of great entertainers like Sweet Leda, Swampcandy, and The Annapolis All-Stars. You’ll find nearly every music genre represented–from rock to folk to classical to country. Each group plays for 45 minutes, then the next comes to the stage. Saturday, the music continues past 9 p.m.; Sunday, music is available until 6 p.m.
There are a few contests to participate in as well, such as the “People’s Choice Award,” a tasting of pulled pork on Saturday from 2:30 to 5 p.m. A tasting ticket is required for this event–inquire on the link below. In addition to this pulled pork contest, there is a KCBS-sanctioned barbecue contest with awards going out at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Who is behind it?
We have the Parole Rotary Club Foundation Inc. to thank for this one. The club has only been around three years, but already has donated more than $100,000 to aforementioned organizations and clubs with the help of fundraisers like the Naptown barBayq. The charities the Parole Rotary Club supports are all kid-oriented, making it easy to understand their mantra: “We make a difference for youth today so they can make a difference tomorrow.” And with fun fundraisers like the barBayq, it’s completely painless to join the cause.
The Parole Rotary Club is making waves in a good way–last year, they raised over $60,000 for the charities they support with the 2013 barBayq. Last year, the county fairgrounds welcomed more than 12,000 people for the barBayq and no doubt the rotary club is hoping for an even bigger turnout this year.
What is there for kids to do?
If you haven’t guessed it yet, the Parole Rotary Club is all about supporting kids of today and tomorrow, so to speak. This equates to numerous kid-friendly activities that are all free. Kids can enjoy the moon bounces, obstacle courses, face-painting, spin art, magician shows, caricature art, balloon art, and even a cornhole tournament.
Aside from these activities, kids can enjoy the arts and crafts vendors that will be in attendance.
What about the food and drink?
If barBayq is the name of the festival, you know there’s going to be plenty of barbecue to go around. Local vendors provide barbecued meats, sandwiches, soups, kebabs, and every kind of festival food you can think of: Broadneck Grill, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Chuck’s Wagon, Honey Hive Artisan Bakery, Firehouse Crabballs, Cakes by Rachael, Chad’s BBQ, Branded ’72 Pit Barbecue, Texas Rib Rangers, Pit Boys, Bes’ Dam Soup, and more. Drinks from Bud Light, Goose Island, Rams Head, Fordham, and more will be available. You won’t go hungry or be thirsty, we’ll put it that way. Beers cost $5 and most food costs under $10.
What else?
Though it will be congested, parking is free at the county fairgrounds.
Tickets for adults cost $15 at the door or $10 if purchased online before April 25. Military get a discount of $5 with valid i.d. Kids under twelve get in free.
Outside food and drink are not permitted. Neither are pets.
For more info, head to www.barbayq.com.
See you there!
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