Santa Maria BBQ Festival Returns Welcoming Families For Free Music & Expanded Format
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The annual Santa Maria BBQ and Music Festival returns this weekend with a new and improved format.
The event will once again be held at Pioneer Park as it has been in the past, but this year it will expand from a one-day festival to an all-weekend experience.
This is the 8th annual event, it’s running all weekend this year, it’s the first time general admission to the park is free, and families are welcome to bring their kids.
World famous Santa Maria Style barbecue is the star of the festival, but attendees will also now enjoy a wide variety of live musical performances from local bands.
Also, a carnival atmosphere is featured for the first time, complete with rides.
Live music performances include weekend headliners Los Hermanos Mendoza and reggae legend Pato Banton.
Other performances lined up include local band After Eight, popular 80s tribute band the Molly Ringwald Project, and Santa Maria-based Mestizo.
Organizers say the free admission into the festival aims to make it more accessible for families as much as barbecue enthusiasts, music fans and visitors from throughout the Central Coast and beyond.
Attendees can expect to pay for their tasting tickets and ride wristbands, which include tickets to the Beer Festival for those 21 and older.
The festival begins today, kicking off at 4 p.m. and running until 10 p.m.
Over the weekend, hours will be from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
In addition to acting as a showcase for the city and region, the festival also benefits the Santa Maria Kiwanis for Kids Program, which helps support programs and initiatives benefiting local children.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here to visit the Santa Maria BBQ and Music Festival official website.
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