Doc Reno's 9th Annual Bacon Beer & BBQ Fest 2026: A Free Family Cookout for a Cause

Now in its ninth year, Doc Reno's Bacon Beer & BBQ Fest turns the Margate Sports Complex into a free, family-friendly cookout for one Sunday every September. The festival is free to attend, free to park, and open to pets, and it benefits My Family Matters Foundation, an organization that supports families with children battling cancer.

Bacon and BBQ, Judged by the Crowd

The centerpiece of the day is a friendly competition: local restaurants and food trucks compete for Best Bacon and Best BBQ honors, with attendees themselves casting the votes that decide the People's Choice winners. The format puts the focus on sampling widely rather than committing to one plate, and it gives smaller local vendors the same shot at recognition as bigger names.

Beyond the Grill

The day also includes live bands and a DJ, activities for kids, and a marketplace of artisan vendors selling outside the food categories entirely. A silent auction runs throughout the event, with proceeds going directly to My Family Matters Foundation's work supporting families navigating a child's cancer diagnosis. The event is held under cover, so it's a reliable plan regardless of the weather.

Good to Know

Doc Reno's 9th Annual Bacon Beer & BBQ Fest takes place Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Margate Sports Complex, 1695 Banks Road, Margate, FL 33063. Admission and parking are free, and the event is family- and pet-friendly. More information is available at docsbaconfest.com.