The Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash returns to Venice

If you head down to Venice this weekend, you can treat yourself to some world-class barbecue, some great live bluegrass music, hot air balloon rides and lots more. And you can help support a worthy nonprofit while you're at it.

The Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash starts Friday at the Venice Airport Fairgrounds. This will be the seventh annual installment of the festival, which is the signature fundraiser for the Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children.

The barbecue comes from some of the best professional pitmasters around the country.

The music comes from such bands as the Boxcars, who were nominated for a Grammy Award for best Bluesgrass Album, the Grascals, who have earned two Entertainer of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association and Fort Lonesome, the IBMA Emerging Artists of the Year for 2014.

There's lots more fun stuff, including hot air balloon rides, clay pigeon shooting, contests and a beer garden.

SFHC has constructed buildings valued at over $20 million dollars in Sarasota County. The buildings are leased for $1 per year to non-profit agencies, including Special Olympics, The Florida Center, Community Haven, Children's First, Sertoma Speech Clinic and the Loveland Center.

The bash is free, but donations are welcome.

Details: April 15-16, Venice Airport Festival Grounds, 610 Airport Ave E., Venice. Hours: 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday. Admission: Free. Information: suncoastbbqbash.com.

--Marty Clear

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 6:01 PM with the headline "The Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash returns to Venice ."