Landover, MD – For the seventh consecutive year, Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C. regional grocery chain, will be the title sponsor of the 30th annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle. After taking place virtually for the past two years, the event will return in-person in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, and will benefit the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore.
The two-day event along iconic Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, between 3rd and 7th Streets will feature delicious barbecue and grilled food samples all weekend, 30 bands performing across three stages, celebrity chefs, cookbook authors and local professional sports player appearances, microbrew and wine sampling, cooking competitions and much more.
“We are thrilled to be returning in-person this year to celebrate the 30th annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle,” said Ira Kress, President at Giant Food. “We’re looking forward to this being the best one yet and celebrating food, fun and the kick-off of summer with our local communities, all while raising money and awareness to support USO-Metro.”
The Taste of Giant Sampling Pavilion and Giant Local Flavors tent will offer a wide variety of free BBQ samples and for the perfect pairing, wine and microbrew offerings will be available for sampling in the Giant Corks to Caps tent or purchase in the Budweiser Beverage Gardens. Attendees can also get inspired by learning from the best BBQ celebrity TV chefs and pitmasters like Myron Mixon and Tuffy Stone, and watching various cooking contests such as the Military Chef Cook-Off with members of USO-Metro. The Giant Kidz Zone will feature fun for the whole family including free rides, games, sampling and more.
Giant’s team of expert in-store nutritionists will also be teaming up with Dole and sharing healthy eating tips and sampling Dole products at the Giant Healthy Living tent. Giant’s Pharmacists will be offering free health screenings and distributing health and wellness products at the Giant Health & Wellness tent.
Musical artists performing across the three stages throughout the weekend include American Authors, Trevor Daniel, Nighthawks, Laine Hardy, Vertical Horizon, The Chuck Brown Band, Sam Grow and many more.
Through its sponsorship of the event since 2016, Giant Food has raised millions of dollars for its beneficiaries including over $1.25 million for USO-Metro last year alone. Giant customers have the opportunity to support USO-Metro beginning Friday, April 29 through June 2 at all stores by rounding up the change on their in-store purchases to the nearest dollar amount at checkout.
Giant customers can also purchase coupon books for $5 at their local store, valued at over $70. All proceeds will go directly to USO-Metro.
“One group we can never turn our backs on is our military. Their lives consist of change, struggle, and sacrifice for our country,” said Lisa Marie Riggins, Esq., Executive Director of the USO National Capital District. “By putting full support behind their annual in-store Round Up campaign and the Barbecue Battle, Giant has set the gold standard for actions, not words. Thanks to Giant’s unwavering commitment to our men and women who serve, the USO has maintained troop-support without interruption. This partnership has been critical to our success.”
Tickets to the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle are available online at www.BBQDC.com or at the event entrance. Giant customers may also visit their local store and purchase a USOMetro coupon book which includes a coupon for a buy one ticket, get one free. Admission is free for children under 12 years old when accompanied by an adult. To learn more about the activities, check out the schedule of events or purchase a ticket, visit www.BBQDC.com.
About Giant Food
Since opening its first location over 85 years ago in Washington, D.C. in 1936, Giant has been an integral part of the communities and customers it serves. Giant is committed to being a Better Neighbor and has designated four main giving pillars that address local Food Insecurity,
Military Support, Pediatric Cancer Research and Social Equality. Giant is headquartered in Landover, Md. and operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 164 stores are 152 fullservice pharmacies, 83 full-service PNC Banks and 26 Starbucks locations. Giant fits all the ways today’s busy customers want to shop – whether in store or online. With 159 Giant Pickup locations and Giant Delivers available in all of its markets, customers have even more convenient options right at their fingertips to get the best products and prices, whenever and however they choose. For more information on Giant, visit: www.giantfood.com.
About Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
Now celebrating its 30th year, the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle has become one of the largest and most unique food and music festivals in the country. Celebrating the art of cooking and the joy of eating, the Barbecue Battle offers residents of the Greater Washington area and throughout the east coast the chance to enjoy America’s favorite pastime right here in the National’s Capital. For more information on the Barbecue Battle, visit www.BBQDC.com.
