Beer, Butts & BBQ A Smokin’ Good Time

A Smokin’ Good Time

After a global pandemic canceled last year’s fundraising event, GNAA was thrilled to get back at it with 2021’s Beer, Butts, & Barbecue. And what a success it was!

The Story Behind BBB

Beer, Butts & Barbecue is the brainchild of GNAA’s Community Service Committee, established to help fund the Emergency Relief Program. Founded in 1997, the ERP helps families displaced from their apartment homes due to fire, flood, and other disasters. Funds raised at the event are used to purchase retail gift cards which are presented to victims so they may replace necessity items lost as a result of disaster.

New Location, Same Great Fun

This year’s festivities had a fresh new look and feel, thanks to our generous host, the American Legion, Post 88. Located in Donelson, the well-manicured grounds offered a beautiful backdrop to the many fun activities the event had to offer.

In addition to the great food and libations that are the heart of BBB, guests had the opportunity to participate in outdoor field games including cornhole, tug-of-war, and potato sack races. New to the lineup this year – and always a crowd pleaser – was a dunk tank, presented by NextGen. Those who were unfortunate enough to find themselves on the inside of the tank were more than happy to get soaked for a good cause! The aquatic addition was such a success that you can expect to see it in the years to come.

Speaking of great food…

As popular as the dunk tank was, the real star of the show was the barbecue competition, featuring teams made up of our very own GNAA members. Guests feasted on traditional barbecue fare, including chicken, beef, and the always popular smoked ribs.

Judging this year’s competition were three of Tennessee’s favorite sons, State Representative Darren Jernigan (Dist. 60) and Metro Councilmembers Kevin Rhoton (14th Dist.) and Jeff Syracuse (15th Dist.). All three judges agreed that it while it was a tough race featuring some of the best barbecue ever tasted, there was only one clear winner…

…Contractors Inc! The team smoked up succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and in the process “smoked” the competition. Congratulations to the folks at Contractors Inc!

Desserts! Desserts! Desserts!

Of course, BBB would not be complete without its annual bake sale auction. The auction, which is held in loving memory of former GNAA member Deborah Baumstark, featured an array of cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and other pastries donated by you! This year’s highest bid went to an out-of-this-world strawberry cake, which brought in a jaw-dropping $700! A sweet amount, indeed!

Shoutout to YOU!

The Community Service Committee knows that Beer, Butts & Barbecue would not be the success that it is without your participation. So a huge thank to all of you for coming out and spending your time and your money for such a worthy cause. We hope to see you again next year!