The 17th annual San Tan Valley BBQ is coming up this weekend.
Hosted by Arizona Rep. Neal Carter (District 8), this event will transpire at a new location this spring, since the attendance has outgrown the original 4-acre parcel previously used for it during the last 16 barbecues. The move is in response to the wild success of the event, which is widely anticipated in San Tan Valley as the unincorporated community’s only municipal event.
“We’ve moved the event onto a large parcel of State Trust Land, not far from the original venue, which the Arizona Land Department has been so kind to issue us a permit for,” said Carter. “What we lose in the beautiful San Tan Mountains setting we make up for in easier event access and larger space for parking and tables.”
Attendance is always free and hamburgers, hot dogs, sodas and beer are available, all free of charge. The barbecue makes a great occasion for neighbors to get out, meet each other and catch up in a casual setting.
This year's event will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 at the new location, 2400 Magma Road in San Tan Valley.
Past barbecues have featured notable area personalities such as Sheriff Mark Lamb, County Supervisor Mike Goodman and plenty of local neighbors.
"It's a great way for an unincorporated community like San Tan Valley to get together, meet neighbors and celebrate," said San Tan Valley resident Nick Myers, a regular attendee of the barbecue.
The event also offers a good opportunity to interact with neighbors, community leaders and elected officials in an informal, get-together setting. This spring’s cooks include students from Central Arizona College’s culinary arts program.
