BBQ BASH & BITES: 1 Look, 3 Event Ideas
1 LOOK, 3 events
(1) Go All Out: BBQ Bash
(2) Grab & Go: Smoke on Wheels Food Truck
(3) Go Virtual: BBQ Virtual Games
BBQ Bash 3-in-1: Three Ways to Fire Up the Fun!
No matter your style, there’s a way to get in on the BBQ fun with our BBQ Bash 3-in-1 event series! Whether it’s an all-out BBQ Bash & Bites with a Side Dish Showdown, a BBQ Bites & Food Truck Delights grab-&-go experience, or a Virtual BBQ Cookout where residents compete from home, there’s something for everyone.
Each event is designed to bring the community together—whether in person or online—through great food, friendly competition, and a shared love for BBQ flavors. So, grab a plate (or a camera), show off your best bites, and get ready to celebrate the season with neighbors in a way that works for you!
Flyers & SIGNS
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Stories
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DIGITAL GRAPHICS
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Event #1 GO ALL OUT: BBQ bash
A Sizzlin’ Good Time with a Side of Friendly Competition
As the sun starts shining and the grills start firing, there’s no better way to bring your apartment community together than with a BBQ Bash & Bites event! This gathering is all about good food, great company, and a little friendly rivalry in the Side Dish Showdown—where residents can showcase their best homemade sides. Whether it’s a tangy coleslaw, smoky baked beans, or a secret-recipe potato salad, everyone gets a chance to shine.
How to Host a Successful BBQ Bash & Side Dish Showdown
1. Set the Date
Choose a weekend or evening when most residents are likely to attend.
Encourage RSVPs, especially for the Side Dish Showdown, so there’s a variety of entries.
2. Fire Up the Grill & Provide the Essentials
Offer a mix of BBQ favorites (burgers, hot dogs, ribs) alongside vegetarian options. Set up a drink station with water, soda, and lemonade, and designate an area for alcoholic beverages (if allowed).
Set up grilling stations with a dedicated cook (or allow residents to take turns at the grill).
Provide plates, utensils, napkins, and condiments.
3. Organize the Side Dish Showdown
Residents bring their best homemade side dishes to compete.
Set up a judging station with numbered entries and ballots for voting.
Categories can include Best Overall, Most Unique, and Crowd Favorite.
Provide small sample cups so everyone can taste before voting.
Announce winners and give out small prizes (gift cards, community perks, or fun BBQ-themed items).
4. Add Extra Fun & Entertainment
Play upbeat music to set the mood.
Arrange lawn games like cornhole, giant Jenga, or a water balloon toss for extra fun.
Create a photo area with BBQ-themed props and a fun backdrop.
5. Wrap Up with a Thank You
Thank all attendees and participants, especially those who entered the showdown.
Share event photos in the community newsletter or social media page.
Consider making this an annual tradition if it’s a hit!
With a little planning and a lot of flavor, your BBQ Bash & Bites event will be the talk of the community all season long!
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Event Inspiration
Why Host This Event?
Builds Community Spirit – Food brings people together, and a casual outdoor BBQ allows neighbors to connect in a relaxed setting.
Encourages Engagement – A side dish competition adds an interactive element, getting more residents involved beyond just attending.
Boosts Resident Satisfaction – Fun, well-planned events increase a sense of belonging and appreciation for the community.
Welcomes New Residents – It’s an easy way for newcomers to mingle and get to know their neighbors.
EVENT #2 GRAB & GO: smoke on wheels food truck
A Grab-&-Go Feast for the Community
The sun is out, the grills are hot, and the best way to spice up the season is with a BBQ Grab-&-Go Food Truck Event! This no-fuss, all-flavor gathering brings residents together for a delicious, casual experience—where the only thing better than the BBQ is the convenience. With flavor on wheels this event makes community gathering easy, delicious, and stress-free!
How to Host a Successful BBQ-Themed Grab-&-Go Event
1. Book the Food Trucks & Plan the Menu
Partner with 1-2 food trucks featuring BBQ favorites (brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, and plant-based options).
Offer a mix of entrée choices and grab-&-go combos so residents can pick what works for them.
If possible, arrange for meal vouchers or discounts for residents to encourage participation.
2. Set Up a Cozy Dining & Mingling Area
Arrange picnic tables and shaded seating for those who want to stay and enjoy their food.
Provide disposable utensils, napkins, and condiments for convenience.
Play upbeat background music to create a laid-back, inviting atmosphere.
Make it a walk-up and enjoy event—no structured schedule, just great food and good company.
Why Host This Event?
Convenient & Casual – No need for your team to cook; residents can grab a plate and enjoy at their own pace.
Supports Local Businesses – Partnering with food trucks showcases great local flavors and builds community connections.
Encourages Community Engagement – Even without games, great food naturally brings people together.
Accommodates All Schedules – A grab-&-go format lets residents drop by when it’s convenient.
Sun-kissed BBQ Appreciation Gift
Pair our BBQ appreciation labels with these fun BBQ themed drink cozies. Perfect for handing out at your BBQ event.
$1.39 Per Cozy Gift*
*Prices are based on the time of purchase and are subject to change.
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Event Inspiration
Click to download and use stock photos!
EVENT #3 GO VIRTUAl: BBQ Virtual Games
A Virtual Cookout with a Tasty Twist
Just because we’re keeping it low-key doesn’t mean we can’t fire up some fun! This Virtual BBQ Bash lets residents celebrate the flavors of the season from home while still getting in on the community spirit. No grilling stations, no big budgets—just a little friendly competition and a chance to win a gift card to a local restaurant.
How to Host This Virtual BBQ Event
1. Choose the Games & Set the Rules
Residents can choose from two ways to play:
🔥 Virtual Side Dish Showdown
Residents post a photo of their best homemade BBQ side dish with a short description.
Community members vote by liking their favorite submission.
The dish with the most likes wins!
Alternatively, we’ve made it easy for you to post our side dish challenge to your stories, and your residents decide the ultimate side dish winner with a bracket-style competition.
🔥 Build-a-Plate Challenge
Option 1:
Residents share a photo of their ultimate BBQ plate using whatever they have at home.
Creativity counts—whether it’s classic ribs and cornbread or a “BBQ remix” with whatever’s in the fridge.
A panel of community judges picks the most delicious-looking or most creative plate as the winner.
Option 2:
Post our Appetizer, Main Dish, Side Dish, Dessert, & Drinks graphics and let your residents vote online to determine the best BBQ plate.
2. Promote the Event & Get Residents Involved
Announce the contest via email, social media, and community newsletters.
Give residents a few days to participate so they can plan their entries.
Use a dedicated hashtag (e.g., #CommunityBBQBash) to track submissions.
3. Choose & Reward the Winners
Set a deadline for voting and judging.
Announce winners in a fun social media post with their winning photo.
Reward winners with a gift card to a local BBQ joint or popular restaurant.
4. Keep the Fun Going
Share a community highlight reel with all the best submissions.
Encourage residents to try each other’s recipes and share feedback.
With just a few clicks and some BBQ creativity, this Virtual Cookout keeps the community connected, engaged, and hungry for more!
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Preview What’s Inside the Collection
Why Host a Virtual BBQ Event?
Easy & Affordable – No setup, no vendors, just online engagement.
Encourages Resident Participation – Residents can join in from home on their own schedule.
Supports Local Business – The prize gift card promotes a nearby restaurant.