We are a BBQ festival on April 15, 2023 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 30 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, Inc. 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.

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!)

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. Please note that you will be asked to remove your camping chair from its bag when passing through security.

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

A General Admission ticket is $110 and is ALL-INCLUSIVE of food, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. A 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 $225 and includes everything provided in the General Admission ticket as well as access to our exclusive VIP bar, early festival access via the VIP Kick Off: Bites + Bubbles from 10:30AM-11:30AM, priority entrance to the event, and on-site parking. A VIP Private Table for Four is $1,250 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 $2,500 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 aged 6-12 are $25 and include all food, beverage, and entertainment. Tickets for children 5 and under are free! Buy your tickets here!

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. As the festival beneficiary, last year’s inaugural event was able to help fund a specialized clinic at the Boston Children’s Hospital and support the North American Family Conference that brought 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.

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.

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

Tickets to this year’s festival, on April 15th, include all the BBQ you can enjoy from over 30 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.

Click here to learn more!

Yes! Click here to donate directly online through your favorite restaurant team!

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!

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 immediately.

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.

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

Yes! Please reach out to connect@southernrootsreunion.com for more information and custom packages!

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

The SR Reunion will begin at 11:00AM and end at 4:00PM. Please note that meal stations will close at 3:00 PM. VIP tickets additionally provide access to the VIP Kick Off: Bites + Bubbles from 10:30AM-11:30AM.

There is no overnight camping or RV parking available.

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.

PRE-SALE tickets go live on January 13th at 7AM for all newsletter subscribers. Tickets go live to the public on January 15th at 7AM. Buy your tickets here!

Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to another party. The event is rain or shine. A credit for a future date will only be offered in the event of cancellation by order of County or State authorities due to public health concerns (COVID-19).

Southern Roots BBQ Reunion is committed to providing a safe event for everyone in attendance. The health and safety of our talent, patrons, staff and vendors is our top priority. We trust you'll come to the event with a clean bill of health to protect everyone in attendance. If you have any COVID-19 related symptoms (ex. fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms associated with COVID-19 identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) within 48 hours of the event, we ask that you transfer your ticket to someone who is healthy and able to attend, as tickets are non-refundable. By purchasing a ticket, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending Southern Roots, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold IDefine, cb events, Bacon Bros. Public House, Trailblazer Park, City of Travelers Rest, and of their affiliates, directors, offices, employees, agents, and contractors liable for any illness or injury.

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

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