For the seventh consecutive year, Maryland-based Giant Food will be the title sponsor of the 30th annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle. After taking place virtually for the past two years, the event will return in-person June 25-26 in Washington, D.C., and will benefit the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore.
The two-day event along iconic Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues, between 3rd and 7th streets, will feature barbecue and grilled food samples, more than 30 bands performing across three stages, celebrity chefs, cookbook authors and local professional sports player appearances, microbrew, wine sampling and cooking competitions.
“We are thrilled to be returning in-person this year to celebrate the 30th annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle,” said Ira Kress, president at Giant Food. “We’re looking forward to this being the best one yet and celebrating food, fun and the kick-off of summer with our local communities, all while raising money and awareness to support USO-Metro.”
The Taste of Giant Sampling Pavilion and Giant Local Flavors tent will offer a wide variety of free barbecue samples and wine and microbrew offerings will be available for sampling in the Giant Corks to Caps tent. Attendees can also learn from the best barbecue celebrity TV chefs and pitmasters like Myron Mixon and Tuffy Stone. The Giant Kidz Zone will feature fun for the whole family including free rides, games and sampling.
Giant’s team of nutritionists will also be teaming up with Dole and sharing healthy eating tips and sampling Dole products at the Giant Healthy Living tent. Giant’s pharmacists will be offering free health screenings and distributing health and wellness products at the Giant Health & Wellness tent.
Musical artists will be performing across the three stages throughout the weekend, such as the American Authors, Trevor Daniel, Nighthawks, Laine Hardy, Vertical Horizon, The Chuck Brown Band and Sam Grow.
Through its sponsorship of the event since 2016, Giant Food has raised money for its beneficiaries, including more than $1.25 million for USO-Metro last year alone. Giant customers have the opportunity to support USO-Metro through June 2 at all stores by rounding up the change on their in-store purchases to the nearest dollar amount at checkout. Customers can also purchase coupon books for $5 at their local store, valued at over $70. All proceeds will go directly to USO-Metro.
“One group we can never turn our backs on is our military. Their lives consist of change, struggle and sacrifice for our country,” said Lisa Marie Riggins, executive director of the USO National Capital District. “By putting full support behind their annual in-store Round Up campaign and the Barbecue Battle, Giant has set the gold standard for actions, not words. Thanks to Giant’s unwavering commitment to our men and women who serve, the USO has maintained troop-support without interruption. This partnership has been critical to our success.”
Tickets to the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle are available online at BBQDC.com or at the event entrance. Admission is free for children under 12 years old when accompanied by an adult.
