When I moved to South Carolina, I wasn’t sure how I would adapt. The weather was hot and sticky. The bugs were huge. Hurricanes existed. But there was one thing that made everything seem better. Barbecue. Specifically, deep-south, authentic, homemade BBQ. And everything that comes with it.
It’s not just the hundreds of sauce options or side of cornbread and sweet tea that gets me, it’s the love each local seems to have for the cuisine. They love it so much, they host festivals and fundraisers all around this incredible style of food. My favorite event just happens to be coming up, and I am SO EXCITED to check it out!!
Southern Roots: A BBQ Reunion is celebrating their third year of making waves in the barbecue world. This event is stacked! With 35+ Pitmasters and chefs, live music the entire span of the festival, full artisan shopping market with local creators, and unlimited barbecue, barbecue fixings, sides, vegetarian options that are (probably still) barbecue related, and unlimited drinks… why WOULDN’T someone want to check this event out?
Especially when you find out the core of why it was created. Because this event is aiming to fill a pit deeper than our stomachs. It’s goal is to help fill a void that is created when families receive devastating news and aren’t sure how -or don’t have the resources- to learn what comes next after their child is diagnosed with Kleefstra Syndrome.
In 2020, a group of parents seeking answers for their children and support for those affected by Kleefstra Syndrome (KS) founded an organization called IDefine. The nonprofits sole purpose was to provide an inclusive community for those affected with the syndrome. They aim to share information, collaborate for advocacy, and pool resources to support life-changing treatments.
In fact, the founder of Souther Roots Reunion is directly impacted. The whole idea of starting this festival was to draw awareness and support for those he knew, and those he has met since his own daughter was diagnosed with KS!
If you aren’t familiar with Kleefstra Syndrome, it is a rare genetic disorder that shows intellectual disabilities, speech delays or limitations, facial appearance changes, and about 5o underlying conditions on top of it all. It is a syndrome WORTH fighting to reverse. A syndrome that no amount of barbecue can calm the fear of, but that with our support, can bring more awareness and more funds to help reverse or prevent all-together.
Now that I have learned so much about IDefine and what they support, it get’s me even more excited for the Southern Roots Reunion! The hardest decision of the day will be WHICH BBQ to begin and end my day with. So many options, check out the lineup below.
Would love to see you there! If you can make it, here are all the details, and make sure you message me on instagram so we can keep an eye out for each other.
-April 20th 2024
-12pm-4pm
-Trailblazer Park, Travelers Rest South Carolina
Class and Sunshie 