We are a BBQ festival on April 12, 2025 full of good food, good drinks, live music and an even better cause. Tickets to Southern Roots include all the BBQ you can enjoy from over 35 pitmasters and chefs, all-inclusive beverages, various local artisans, and tunes from a talented line-up of musicians. Pitmasters and chefs will be paired into teams, working together to create over 15 amazing BBQ dishes for guests to enjoy. And while there is no better excuse to gather as a community than to break bread and enjoy a great meal, the true reason we are all here is for the non-profit organization, IDefine. Southern Roots was created in an effort to raise funds and awareness for IDefine, a non-profit organization that helps families and children with the rare genetic disorder, Kleefstra Syndrome. With a commitment to identifying life-changing treatments and cures for those with Intellectual Disabilities stemming from rare genetic disorders, IDefine also serves as a community and resource for families all over.

All-inclusive tickets are available now. Grab your tickets here!

A General Admission ticket is $95 and is ALL-INCLUSIVE of food, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. A GA ticket also provides access to the live music stage and artisan market/vendor booths. Please note: on-site parking is not included. A VIP ticket is $200 and includes everything provided in the General Admission ticket as well as access to our VIP-only bar with specialty pours, early festival access via the VIP Kick-Off: Oysters + Bubbles from 11:30AM-12:30PM, special bites all day long from our exclusive VIP Area chefs, access to our covered seating and lounge area, priority entrance to the event, and on-site parking. A VIP Private Table for Four is $1,000 and includes everything provided in the VIP ticket as well as a private table with reserved seating for four in the VIP area. A VIP Private Table For Eight is $2,000 and includes everything provided in the VIP ticket as well as a private table with reserved seating for eight in the VIP area. Tickets for children ages 6-12 are $25 and include all food, beverage, and entertainment. Tickets for children 5 and under are free! Grab your tickets here!

Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to another party. The event is rain or shine.

Southern Roots was created in an effort to raise funds and awareness for IDefine, a non-profit organization that helps families and children with the rare genetic disorder, Kleefstra Syndrome. With a commitment to identifying life-changing treatments and cures for those with Intellectual Disabilities stemming from genetic disorders, IDefine also serves as a community and resource for families all over. As the festival beneficiary, we've raised close to $200,000 in the last three years, helped fund a specialized clinic at the Boston Children’s Hospital and are actively supporting research projects and the North American Family Conference this June that will bring together over 75 families impacted by Kleefstra Syndrome. With the ultimate goal of finding a cure, the support of Southern Roots is helping further the research of Kleefstra Syndrome and new technologies that may provide some answers for these sweet children and their families.

IDefine is the whole reason we are here and is the nonprofit organization that the festival benefits. Click here to learn more!

Kleefstra syndrome (KS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by Intellectual Disability, childhood hypotonia, severe expressive speech delay and a distinctive facial appearance with a spectrum of additional clinical features. The syndrome, eponymously named for Dr. Tjitske Kleefstra, is caused by either a mutation or deletion of a gene called EHMT1 (Euchromatic Histone Methyltransferase 1). The impact leads to the loss of the entire gene. Kleefstra Syndrome presents with a wide range of symptoms, and the severity of those symptoms vary from mild to severe. Click here to learn more!

Yes! Click here to donate!

Our favorite part about cooking BBQ is the way it gathers people together and that’s exactly what we intend to do at Southern Roots. Our hope is that you’ll leave the event feeling like you just spent the day with family.

Southern Roots will be held at Trailblazer Park, 235 Trailblazer Dr, Travelers Rest, SC 29690.

Southern Roots will begin at 12:00PM and end at 4:00PM. VIP tickets additionally provide access to the VIP Kick-Off: Oysters + Bubbles from 11:30AM-12:30PM.

Yes! There will be local small businesses and partners at the event in our Artisan Market. If you are interested, click here to learn more and apply!

Yes! Click here to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities or reach out to connect@southernrootsreunion.com for more details.

We have opportunities to sponsor and support the event, vendor opportunities and opportunities to volunteer. Sign up for our emails to be the first to know of more opportunities like this.

The Southern Roots email newsletter lets you sign up to stay updated on all event details!

Please reach out to us at connect@southernrootsreunion.com for more information!

On-site parking is not included in the General Admission tickets. However, there will be a Lyft and Uber drop-off area and parking available nearby on a first-come, first-serve basis. The nearest parking lots are located at T&S Brass, TR History Museum and Roe Road Public Parking. Additional parking lots, restaurants and shop listings can be found on the City’s Google map. If you have purchased a VIP ticket, on-site parking will be available. You will receive an email the week of the event with your parking pass. If you have purchased a VIP Private Table For Four or Eight, on-site parking will be available for one or two cars depending on the table size. You will receive an email the week of the event with your parking pass. All attendees are encouraged to ride-share using Uber or Lyft (or ride your bike down the Swamp Rabbit!)

There is no overnight camping or RV parking available.

Small clutch bags, no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" in size allowed. Clear bags of any size are also allowed. All bags will be subject to search at our discretion. Diaper bags and strollers will be allowed, but are subject to search. Lawn chairs, camping chairs, and picnic blankets are allowed for use in the designated area by the stage. You will be asked to remove your camping chair from its bag when passing through security. Please note that no weapons or firearms will be allowed on-site.

Lawn chairs, camping chairs, and picnic blankets are allowed for use in the designated area by the stage. You will be asked to remove your camping chair from its bag when passing through security. You are welcome to bring handheld umbrellas/parasols (under 3ft tall) for shade! No pop up tents allowed.

Reunion tickets are all-inclusive of food, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. Tickets also provide access to the live music stage and artisan market/vendor booths. Artisan Market and vendor booth items will be for sale during the festival, so we encourage you to shop and support these local businesses.

Pets are not permitted at the event, with the only exception being service animals. Any attendee that shows up with a pet will be asked to leave the event.

Children are welcome to attend Southern Roots as we hope to provide a family friendly environment! Tickets for children ages 6-12 are $25 and include all food, beverage, and entertainment. Tickets for children 5 and under are free!

Dress casually and comfortably as you are a part of the barbecue community! The event will be held outdoors at Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest.

Yes! Please note that photography and videography will be taken at the event and by purchasing a ticket, you have consented to any and all use for social media and marketing purposes. Our photographers have been instructed to explicitly ask for permission for photography of minors, but we do ask for your help in expressing any concerns you may have of children being photographed.