Santa Maria Celebrates the Art of BBQ to Support Local Foster and High-needs Children

Purchase your own Wild West BBQ Bash T-Shirt below!

Santa Maria Celebrates the Art of BBQ

to Support Local Foster and High-needs Children

On Saturday, June 26th, 2010 the Family Care Network will host its 2nd annual Wild West BBQ Bash, a family-friendly event benefitting foster and high-needs children and families on the Central Coast. The event will run from 11:00am to 4:00pm at Preisker Park at 330 Hidden Pines Way in Santa Maria. All are invited to enjoy live entertainment and world-class BBQ as dozens of BBQ teams from Santa Maria and around the state compete for the Wild West crown in this competition sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association! Last year’s competition included seasoned competitors such as Harry Soo, of “Slap Yo Daddy BBQ” featured on TLC’s hit show “Pit Masters” along with local rookies such as Jim Leuthold of Central Coast Smokers and Ron Fleenor of R&R Catering in Santa Maria.

Central Coast BBQ enthusiasts and seasoned pros alike are encouraged to join the competition this year:

Click here for the registration form.
Click here for competition details.
Click here for health requirements.

The BBQ teams will compete in six categories including: chicken, beef brisket, pork ribs, pork shoulder, “People’s Choice”, and of course, tri-tip. This year’s exciting addition of the People’s Choice award will afford guests the opportunity to taste and vote on world class BBQ prepared by top-notch competitors! Admission to the event is free and funds earned through BBQ tasting tickets and food & beverage sales benefit the Family Care Network. “People’s Choice” BBQ tasting tickets will be sold for $2 each both at the event and prior to the event at any Central Coast Farm Supply location.

The Family Care Network has partnered with the City of Santa Maria Recreation & Parks Department to host this unique day of family fun. In addition to the exciting sport of BBQ, the Wild West BBQ Bash will feature local musicians and performance groups along with family activities such as face painting, cultural displays, balloon animals and more!

This competition is dedicated to the promotion of BBQ as a culinary art and sport as well as the historical preservation of the Santa Maria Style BBQ which brought the Latino and Caucasian settlers of California’s Central Coast together. The event celebrates the unique relationship of the Caucasian ranchers and Latino vaqueros in the 19^th century through culinary efforts such as Santa Maria Style BBQ and the ongoing community established by these groups.

In addition to celebrating the art of BBQ, this event will provide a new way for the Santa Maria community to support local foster and high-needs children served by the Family Care Network. The fundraiser comes at a crucial time for the children of the Central Coast as the Family Care Network, a private children and families services provider for over 22 years, is facing a $300,000 deficit due to state budget cuts.

For information about the Wild West BBQ Bash or volunteering with the Family Care Network to serve local foster and high-needs children and families, please visit www.fcni.org or call (805) 781-3535.

The Family Care Network is a private, nonprofit serving foster and high-needs children and families on the Central Coast of California. The agency was established in 1987 for the purpose of creating family-based treatment programs as an alternative to group home or institutional care, and is accredited by the California Alliance of Child and Family Services. The Family Care Network’s programs have grown to serve over 1,800 children, youth and families annually through five service divisions including: 1) Therapeutic Foster Care; 2) Family Support Services; 3) Transitional Housing Services; 4) Early Intervention and Prevention Services; and 5) Community-Linked Services. The mission of the Family Care Network is "to enhance the wellbeing of children and families in partnership with our community."

Thank you to our 2009 sponsors:

Apio Inc., Best Western Big America, Boot Barn, Central Coast Smokers, City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, Sunny Country 1025.5, Farm Supply, Harveys Honey Huts, Hind Foundation, Kitzman's Culligan, Kiwanis of Santa Maria Noontimers, Lions Club of Santa Maria Sunrisers, M & W Pumps, Mello & Sons, Merrill Gardens, NorthSBCountyParent.com, Quinn/Cat Rentals, R. Burke Corporation, Rolson Sound, Rotary Club of Nipomo, Santa Maria Produce Marketing, Santa Maria Times, Southern California Gas Co./Sempra Utilities, Susie Q's Brand Artisan Foods, Teixeira Farms, Thoma Electric