Mark your calendars for the foodie event of the year! The 3rd Annual Fayetteville Black BBQ Cookoff and the 4th Annual I Love My Community Cookout & Giveaway are set to take place at the Crown Complex in Fayetteville, NC. The festival kicks off on Aug. 16, 2024, with the main cook-off and community celebration on Aug.17, 2024. 

Admission is free! Wristbands can be purchased for a small fee that allows foodies to sample incredible BBQ from the top pitmasters in the game!

The extraordinary community giveaway and celebration, spearheaded by L3 Brand Community Alliance and supported by our dedicated Community Partners, aims to assist families in starting the school year on a positive note. The event will feature resources, giveaways, and a celebration, highlighting student success and recognizing community leaders who embody exceptional dedication to their neighborhoods.

In 2021, the inaugural "I Love My Community, Cookout, and Giveaway" provided free food, resources, and awards to individuals making significant contributions to the community. This year, they are determined to repeat the success with an even more impactful event, focusing on underserved parts of the Fayetteville community.

“We are excited about uniting the Black BBQ Cookoff hosted by A1 Cook Offs with the I Love My Community Giveaway once again, said Elizabeth Stiff, Executive Director of L3 Brand Community Alliance in a press release. “Adding the Crown Complex as a key sponsor for our event is such a blessing, as they have been a loyal sponsor of the I Love My Community Giveaway for the past two years”.

Crown Complex Assistant General Manager Dorothy Strahley shared her thoughts on this year's event in a press release stating:  “The Crown Complex is thrilled to continue and enhance our support for the I Love My Community Cookout and Giveaway," said Strahley. "We are proud to support the community by becoming the key sponsor and hosting the event at the Crown to allow the event to continue to grow. We love this event and can’t wait to see it flourish even more.”

A1 Cook Off’s Co-founder Bruce Yeomans spoke about the impact that the event brings to the city in a press release adding: “This partnership aims to stimulate local businesses, making Fayetteville THE destination for food enthusiasts and tourists alike,” said Yeomans. “The Black BBQ Cookoff not only fosters camaraderie among participants but also serves as a platform for veteran chefs to mentor the next generation. It celebrates the rich history of black BBQ cooking while uniting the community through delectable food and a fantastic time.”

New to this year’s event, a Special guest & Celebrity Chef will host an all-new “I Love My Food” showcase during the festival weekend that features top chefs and cooks within Fayetteville and surrounding areas.

Beyond the culinary extravaganza, the event will spotlight reading and education, featuring local and surrounding authors. Under the theme "Uplifting The Next Generation," the event will honor trailblazers in various fields, offering training, scholarships, internships, and diverse opportunities for the youth.

Expect an array of activities, including guest speakers, wellness events, job opportunities, resources, free food, backpacks, school supplies, hygiene products, and more. The event will be a celebration of entertainment with live music, DJs, performances, dancing, games, and much more, and will highlight helping the whole person, featuring a fitness dance class for the community by Dancing Without Sin!

To perform, sponsor, volunteer, or get involved, call/text (678) 665-3526 or email Contact@L3Brand.com.

Interested in contributing items to the community, such as school supplies, hygiene items, clothing/shoes, treats, or hair styling? Call/text (678) 665-3526.

For more information on attending or competing in the Black BBQ Cook-Off visit A1CookOffs.com or call Elizabeth (678) 665-3526 or Bruce (910) 261-2343.