The 3rd Annual Torry Island BBQ Showdown, held March 21, 2026, proved to be more...
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BELLE GLADE — The 3rd Annual Torry Island BBQ Showdown, held March 21, 2026, proved to be more than just an incredible weekend of BBQ, music, airboats, and family fun — it became another historic milestone for the Glades community. Organizers proudly announced that the 2026 event raised $71,000 to support adults with intellectual disabilities and local charitable organizations throughout the Glades region.
On May 20, 2026, event organizers and community leaders proudly presented The Arc of the Glades with a check in the amount of $60,000 to assist with services and remodeling efforts for adults with intellectual disabilities. Additional proceeds from the event were also donated to the LETCO Foundation and Project Lift Belle Glade location, continuing the event’s mission to support organizations that directly serve the Glades community.
This year’s success was made possible in part through the extraordinary support of the Palm Beach County-based Hometown Foundation and the Richard & Min Vondrak Foundation, Inc., both of which stepped in significantly to support the cause. The Richard & Min Vondrak Foundation alone contributed $10,000 specifically toward remodeling improvements at The Arc of the Glades.
What began just three years ago as a grassroots community initiative has now become one of South Florida’s premier BBQ and Airboat events. Created with the mission of promoting positivity, unity, and economic growth in the Glades communities, the Torry Island BBQ Showdown has exceeded all expectations. Organizers say the event has also helped showcase the region’s potential to outside investors and visitors, including hopes of bringing a name-brand hotel to the area, with plans anticipated to break ground later this year.
Over the last three years, the Torry Island BBQ Showdown has raised more than $200,000 for Glades charities.
This year’s sold-out event featured nationally recognized musical headliners Blanco Brown and Colt Ford, drawing more than 6,500 attendees, with over 70% traveling from outside the Western Palm Beach County area. Competitor, vendor, and airboat registrations all reached capacity, with waiting lists in nearly every category.
Jennifer Earnest, TIBBQ Showdown Executive Director and Vice President of H.E. Hill Foundation, Inc., reflected on the overwhelming success of the event:
“It is overwhelming to see the success and proceeds of this event. It is a labor of community love from each of the volunteers who put their blood, sweat, and tears into the Showdown. Each of our events were sold out this year. Our committee has exceeded all expectations through hard work and commitment to its success. This is all a credit to them.”
Earnest continued by recognizing the dedicated team behind the event’s growth and organization:
“I would like to thank the amazing Kevin Brewer, BBQ Director, for his commitment to learning the KCBS process and organization of that portion; Brianna Bennett who brought out airboats from all over Florida and put on a sold-out airboat show; Alicia Spence for her vendor management skills; Ashley Brewer and Jenna Rimes who both helped in every way possible; and Angelica Mendoza who raised an army of volunteers to work this event. All of our sponsors have really stepped up and helped us bring Glades culture and hospitality to so many who have never been to this part of Palm Beach County before.”
“It makes my heart beam with pride and happiness each time I hear how amazing the event and venue are from people who didn’t know this existed in Palm Beach County.”
The two-day event featured fierce BBQ competition, live entertainment, a nationally sanctioned cornhole tournament, a packed airboat showcase, youth activities, local vendors, and family-friendly attractions. This year’s BBQ competition drew 33 Professional Teams and 17 Backyard Teams, with additional teams placed on waiting lists due to overwhelming demand.
Professional BBQ Competition Winners
• Grand Champion: Tillmans BBQ
• Reserve Grand Champion: Accutech BBQ
• 3rd Overall: Keepin’ It Smokin’ Competition BBQ
• 4th Overall: Sweet Smoke Q
• 5th Overall: Slapulator BBQ Competition Team
• 6th Overall: BrewsCue Competition BBQ and Catering
• 7th Overall: K & E Little Smokers
• 8th Overall: Rum Runners BBQ
• 9th Overall: Gettin’ Basted
• 10th Overall: Jurassic Bark
Backyard BBQ Competition Winners
• Grand Champion: Navin’s Backyard BBQ Competition Team (their first competition ever!)
• Reserve Grand Champion: Pompano Pit Kings
• 3rd Overall: Mike’s Backyard BBQ
• 4th Overall: Cane Country BBQ
• 5th Overall: T-Rex Rub
• 6th Overall: When Pigs Fly Family BBQ
Mystery Meat Competition (Quail provided by Firefly Farms)
• 1st Place: When Pigs Fly Family BBQ
• 2nd Place: Dirty Earnie’s Almost Famous BBQ
• 3rd Place: FINFROCK Backyard BBQ
People’s Choice Competition (Meat provided by Okeechobee Steakhouse)
• 1st Place: Cold Beer BBQ Competition Team
• 2nd Place: Ain’t That Rich
• 3rd Place: Navin’s Backyard BBQ Competition Team
• 4th Place: Smoke Showing Backyard BBQ Team
• 5th Place: BBQ Ribs on Wheels and More LLC
Junior Q (Ages 11–16)
• 1st Place: When Pigs Fly Family BBQ Jr. – Jace Galatolo
• 2nd Place: When Pigs Fly Family BBQ Jr. – Berkley Montano
• 3rd Place: Keepin’ it Smokin’ Competition BBQ Jr. – Bentley Douglas
Kids Q (Ages 6–10)
• 1st Place: Pahokee O’s Shaved Ice – Galilea Muniz
• 2nd Place: Bull and Boar BBQ – Keegan Wentworth
• 3rd Place: Navin’s Backyard BBQ Competition Team – Clayton Navin
Best in Show
• Winner: Parker Morehead
6 Cylinder
• 1st Place: Parker Morehead
• 2nd Place: Kirk Kennedy
• 3rd Place: Nestor Garcia
4 Cylinder
Auto Boat
• 1st Place: Rowen Johns
• 2nd Place: Michael Johns
• 3rd Place: Randy Bergin
Hunt Boat
• 1st Place: Randy Bergin
• 2nd Place: Thomas Guerry
• 3rd Place: Chase Dixon
Beater Boat
• 1st Place: Baisl Markham
• 2nd Place: Brett Usher
• 3rd Place: Nicholas Perrone
Competitive/Pro Division
• 1st Place: Cheyenne Bubenheim & Lonnie Campos
• 2nd Place: River Cole & Austin Harrelson
• 3rd Place: Anthony Reul & Avis Streker
• 4th Place: Chad Fisher & Tony Cinelli
Social/Fun Division
• 1st Place: Airborn
• 2nd Place: The Gamers
• 3rd Place: 321
• 1st Place: Glades Day School Lower School — “Beware of the Gators”
• 2nd Place: PBSO Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Explorers — “Watermelon with Ant”
• 3rd Place: Aces — “Finding Nemo”
One of the standout highlights once again came from Project LIFT, whose welding and carpentry students handcrafted the one-of-a-kind trophies using repurposed materials. Attendees and competitors alike praised the creativity and craftsmanship displayed in every award.
Organizers extended heartfelt thanks to the City of Belle Glade, H.E. Hill Foundation, Inc., volunteers, sponsors, competitors, vendors, and patrons whose support made the event possible.
