Go Blue! BBQ Bash will take place on April 26

The highly anticipated 10th annual Go Blue! BBQ Bash will take place on April 26 from 1 p.m. until the food runs out at High Tide in Osage Beach. This event will bring the community together for a fun-filled day of delicious BBQ, live music and family-friendly entertainment. Presented by Central Bank, this annual event will feature an amateur BBQ competition, a silent auction and a live performance by Jacob Smalley and Morgan County Line.

This event is held in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month and serves as a fundraiser for Kids' Harbor Child Advocacy Center, a nationally accredited nonprofit organization that provides critical services to children and families impacted by abuse. Kids' Harbor serves ten counties in central and southwest Missouri, including the Lake of the Ozarks, Fort Leonard Wood Military Installation and surrounding communities, providing resources for children and their safe caregivers as they make their way through the process of a child abuse investigation. Their mission is to provide coordinated response, healing and prevention of child abuse.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 10th annual Go Blue! BBQ Bash and the support it provides to Kids' Harbor,” said Cara Gerdiman, Executive Director. "This event is not only a fantastic opportunity to unite our community, but it also plays a crucial role in raising funds for our mission to support and protect children in need. We deeply appreciate the ongoing support from our sponsors, volunteers, competitors and attendees, whose partnership makes this event possible."

Event Highlights:

• Amateur BBQ Competition – Amateur pitmasters from around the region will compete to serve up the best BBQ in various categories, including pulled pork, sauce, baked beans and the Kids’ Harbor Challenge. The challenge category is a surprise, you sign up to compete but do not know what the meat is until you pick it up. By the way, all meat needed for the competition is provided to competitors as part of their minimal entry fee.
• Online/Silent Auction – Attendees can bid on exciting items and experiences with proceeds benefiting Kids' Harbor.
• Live Music – Enjoy a live performance by Jacob Smalley throughout the event.

Kids' Harbor Impact in 2024:

• 623 new referrals for service.
• 12,000 students in 18 school districts received child abuse prevention education.
• 1,246 children and safe caregivers were served through comprehensive advocacy, forensic interviews and medical exams, as well as trauma-informed therapy services, all provided at no cost.
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The Go Blue BBQ Bash is a wonderful opportunity to not only have fun and enjoy delicious BBQ but also to support an organization that plays a crucial role in the lives of local children and families. Funds raised from the event will directly benefit Kids' Harbor, allowing the center to continue its essential work throughout the region.

Sponsors and competitors are needed to ensure the success of these fundraising efforts. Please visit the event site at https://BBQBASH2025.givesmart.com or contact info@kharborcac.org for more information.

Tickets for the event are available now and can be purchased through the Go Blue BBQ Bash website https://BBQBASH2025.givesmart.com or at the event.

About Kids' Harbor
Kids' Harbor is a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center serving children in ten counties across Missouri, including Camden, Dent, Hickory, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Morgan, Phelps, Pulaski and Texas Counties, as well as the Fort Leonard Wood Military Installation. The center provides comprehensive services for children and families affected by abuse, ensuring that each child receives the care, safety and protection they deserve. To learn more about Kids' Harbor, visit https://kidsharbormo.org.