Southern Roots BBQ Festival Is Worth the Drive from Asheville
Just across the state line, this BBQ festival is a great excuse to share our love of good flavor with our South Carolina neighbors.
On April 11, 2026, the Southern Roots BBQ Festival brings together more than 35 pitmasters and chefs for a day filled with incredible barbecue, live music, craft drinks, and community.
Held in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, this event is an easy trip from Asheville and a great excuse for a spring road trip. Around here we take our barbecue seriously, and events like this are a great way to share the love of good flavor with our South Carolina neighbors.
It’s the kind of festival where you arrive hungry, spend the afternoon sampling amazing dishes, listening to music, and enjoying the atmosphere, and leave already planning to come back next year.
A BBQ Tasting Experience
Guests will be able to sample more than 15 creative BBQ dishes, prepared by teams of pitmasters and chefs who are paired together specifically for the event.
With 35+ pitmasters and chefs participating, each team brings their own style and flavor to the table, creating a tasting experience that highlights both traditional barbecue and creative new takes on the craft.
Your ticket includes all the food, so guests can explore the different dishes and enjoy the full experience.
Drinks, Music, and a Local Market
Along with the barbecue, guests will enjoy beer, wine, and spirits included with admission, plus live music throughout the day.
The festival will also feature a thoughtfully curated artisan market, showcasing local makers and vendors.
It’s a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that feels like a true Southern gathering. Great food, good drinks, live music, and plenty of space to enjoy a spring day outdoors.
A Festival With a Purpose
While the food and music bring people together, the heart behind Southern Roots goes much deeper.
The festival was created to raise funds and awareness for IDefine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families and children affected by Kleefstra Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes intellectual disabilities and complex medical challenges.
IDefine works to identify life changing treatments and potential cures for those living with rare genetic disorders. The organization also serves as an important resource and support community for families navigating these diagnoses.
Southern Roots was created to bring people together around something we all understand sharing a great meal while supporting families and children who need it most.
Event Details
Southern Roots BBQ Festival
April 11, 2026
📍 Trailblazer Park
235 Trailblazer Dr
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
35+ pitmasters and chefs
15+ BBQ dishes to sample
Beer, wine, and spirits included
Live music all day
Artisan market
Southern Roots BBQ Festival is a celebration of barbecue, community, and compassion all in one place. If you love great food events and meaningful causes, this is one spring festival that’s well worth the short drive from Asheville.