Smoke on the Coast BBQ & Fireworks at Destin Commons July 3

The 9th Annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ & Fireworks Festival takes place Wednesday, July 3 at Destin Commons and this year is expected to be bigger and better than ever! Family fun activities include live music and entertainment, BBQ sampling, face painting, photo booth, and the highly anticipated, Independence Day firework extravaganza. Through the Destin Commons Coins for a Cause initiative, 18 local charities team up with various restaurants and BBQ aficionados, for over $85,000 in donations.

5:00 p.m.: Family entertainment and live music by Forrest Williams Band
5:30 p.m.: BBQ lovers can enjoy $1 samples from 18 area restaurants and BBQ groups and vote for their favorite as People's Choice winners.
7:00 p.m.: Heritage Band performance
9:30 p.m.: Independence Day firework extravaganza

This annual event may only be one day per year, but collecting coins and organizing the most anticipated event of the Summer takes more than time, it takes a village of yearly contributions raised by those in the local community who "plug the meters" at Destin Commons.

"Smoke on the Coast has grown in participation and attendance over the years and we are excited to say that 2019 will be the best yet. Through the dedication of the nonprofits, the support of our business sponsors, and everyone remembering to plug the meters at Destin Commons, we are able to give out over $85K at this annual event. We look forward to serving up some delicious BBQ, great music and entertainment, and friendly competition all in the spirit of charity on July 3rd!"
- Heather Ruiz, Senior Director of Marketing & Leasing at Destin Commons

The 18 non-profit organizations, along with their BBQ teams, are:

Air Force Enlisted Village & The Gulf
Boys and Girls Club & Big Red Truck
Children in Crisis & B&C Fire Safety
Dog Harmony & Cafe Rico
Emerald Coast Science Center & Bow Tie BBQ
Food for Thought & Paula Deen's Family Kitchen
Gulf Coast Council of the Boy Scouts of America & The Pig in the Garden
Habitat for Humanity & Hub City Smokehouse and Grill
Heritage Museum of NW Florida & Cold Creek BBQ
Jobs4U & Lillie's Q
Junior League of the Emerald Coast & Buh's BBQ
Niceville/Valparasio Rotary Club & Smok'n Hot Wheels
Opportunity Place & B's Smoking BBQ
Rotary Club of Destin
Shelter House & The One and Culinary Pirates
Taylor Haugen Foundation & Brightview Landscaping Services
Toys for Tots & Bass Pro Shop
Youth Village & Waste Management

Award-winning Destin Commons, featuring over 90 stores and restaurants, is anchored by Bass Pro Shops; Belk; H&M; Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill; the largest Lush in Florida; and AMC Destin, a 14-screen movie theatre. The outdoor lifestyle center also offers 70,000 square feet of Class A office space, free Wi-Fi access, interactive pop fountain, and the brand new Luckey Climber and children's play area. Destin Commons is located at the corner of US Highway 98 and the Mid Bay Bridge Road. For additional information, call (850) 337-8700, or visit www.DestinCommons.com, Facebook, Instagram, Dine Instagram or Twitter.