Barbecue event organizers seek to add alcohol to the mix
Published 12:36 am Saturday, December 31, 2022
- Heather Burton and Juss Rabalais stand before Port Neches councilmembers in October in reference to the SETX Craft BBQ Festival. (Monique Batson/The News)
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PORT NECHES — Organizers of SETX BBQ Festival are looking to add the sale and consumption of alcohol to their February event.
Port Neches City Council will hear the request during the 4 p.m. meeting Thursday at city hall.
The event is headed up by two local business owners — Juss Rabalais of Old West Smoke Company food truck and Heather Burton of My Tribe Nutrition.
The two already received the green light from council at the Oct. 20 meeting for the festival to be held from 2-8 p.m. Feb. 11 on Port Neches Avenue.
The area to be included for the event include Port Neches Avenue between Nall Street and Marion Street and the Port Neches Economic Development property between Avenue Ave and the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce.
The PNEDC will meet on Jan. 24 to consider the request as it relates to their property.
Rabalais and Burton gave their original pitch to council several months ago with Rabalais saying the whole aspect behind the festival is “keep it local.”
This also applies to entertainment, as organizers have booked Casey Chesnutt, son of country music star and Beaumont native Mark Chesnutt.
The singer/songwriter will perform from 5-8 p.m. at Avenue Axe.
Burton said during the previous meeting that there would also be a separate area geared more toward family that includes crafts and other activities.
The goal, they said, is to bring more attention to Port Neches Avenue, as well as local entertainment and vendors.
There will be nine hand-selected food vendors, restrooms and hand washing areas. And there will also be security on hand.
“With hopes of becoming an annual event, this festival aims to bring an estimated 600 people to Port Neches Avenue its first year,” organizers wrote in a packet provided to the city.
All proceeds will go towards the Port Neches Police Officers Nonprofit Association. Created with the intent of creating a gym for the officers, the organization has since grown to include a Blue Santa program and funding help for National Night Out.
