Firebox: BBQ on the Block

From the Bluff to the Block

Firebox’s signature barbecue fundraiser has changed a little over the years. What began as BBQ on the Bluff at Gascoigne Bluff is now BBQ on the Block, bringing pitmasters, chefs, food vendors, drinks, and live music together on St. Simons Island.

The annual event is organized by The Firebox Initiative, the nonprofit created by the people behind Southern Soul Barbeque to help members of the Golden Isles food-service community when they fall on hard times.

Barbecue and More on St. Simons

Barbecue remains at the heart of the event, but don’t expect a traditional cook-off with teams turning in identical competition boxes. Firebox brings together pitmasters, chefs, restaurants, farmers, brewers, distillers, and other food and drink producers for an evening built around eating, drinking, music, and community.

Recent editions have included smoked pork and brisket alongside oysters, Southern sides, street-food-style dishes, and plenty that stretches beyond what you might normally expect at a barbecue festival.

Live music is also part of the evening, making this as much a St. Simons food festival as a gathering for serious barbecue fans.

Why Firebox Exists

The story behind Firebox starts with the fire that destroyed Southern Soul Barbeque on March 27, 2010. Owners Griffin Bufkin and Harrison Sapp found themselves surrounded by people from the restaurant business and the larger community who stepped in to help them recover.

They didn’t forget it. In 2018, they formally launched The Firebox Initiative to provide emergency financial help to people working in the local food-service industry who are facing a crisis because of illness, an accident, or a natural disaster.

Firebox also provides educational scholarship opportunities for children and dependents of people working in the Golden Isles food-service community.

Eating for a Good Cause

BBQ on the Block is one of the organization’s major fundraisers. Money raised at the event helps fund Firebox’s emergency grants and scholarship work.

That means the food on your plate is doing more than feeding a crowd. The event helps support the people who cook, serve, pour, and keep restaurants running throughout the Golden Isles.

2026 Event Information

Organizers have confirmed that Firebox: BBQ on the Block will return in October 2026, but the exact date, hours, location, and ticket details have not yet been announced.

Because the event has sold out in previous years, it’s worth checking the official Firebox event information before making plans and buying tickets once they become available.

Details

Location and Map

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Best Places to Stay Nearby

Weather Forecast

BRUNSWICK WEATHER

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