The Charley West BBQ Fest is an annual event benefiting the Bob Burdette Center afterschool program.
The public is able to purchase meals from commercial BBQ vendors and tasting tickets to sample BBQ from backyard BBQ cooks.
Ten dollars will purchase ten tasting tickets and the chance to vote for one’s favorite commercial BBQ and favorite backyard BBQ. Winners will be named “People’s Choice-Best BBQ.”
In addition, a panel of judges will do blind taste testing in both the commercial and backyard divisions.
Commercial vendors will submit a sample of pulled pork BBQ with sauce to the judge’s panel to compete for “Best BBQ in Charleston at the Charley West BBQ Fest.”
Backyard BBQ entrants will compete in four categories that include best pulled pork BBQ, best ribs, best sauce, and wildcard—anything you want to BBQ. First place in each event wins $100, second place wins $50, and third place wins $25. The event also features live local music.
The Bob Burdette Center is a non-profit afterschool and summer program that operates three afterschool program locations on the West Side of Charleston and serves approximately 130 children who attend Edgewood Elementary, Grandview Elementary, Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary, and Stonewall Jackson Middle.
Children are able to attend the program at no cost and receive daily meals, homework assistance, and tutoring. They also participate in a variety of enrichment activities and physical activity.