Bo's Roast: 16 Years of Food, Friendship & Community

What started as a gathering has become one of the Lowcountry's most beloved traditions.

For 16 years, Bo's Roast & Chili Cook-Off has been about bringing people together. Friends, families, neighbors, local businesses, musicians, and competitors gather for a day filled with great food, friendly competition, laughter, and memories that last long after the last oyster is shucked.

Year after year, the event has grown, but the heart of Bo's Roast has remained the same: good people coming together for a good time and an even greater purpose.

A Little Competition. A Lot of Tradition.

Ask anyone who's attended Bo's Roast, and they'll tell you—this isn't your ordinary oyster roast!

There's something special about watching chili teams proudly serve their secret recipes, seeing friends debate which pot deserves the People's Choice Award, hearing live music across the field, and watching familiar faces return year after year.

Our chili competitors bring their best recipes and plenty of personality. Our backyard BBQ teams add another level of delicious competition. And our guests? They're just as much a part of the fun!

Some come for the oysters. Some come for the chili. Some come for the music.

But everyone comes for the experience.

Honoring the Traditions That Make Bo's Roast Special

Over the years, Bo's Roast has become more than an annual event. It's become a place where friendships are celebrated, memories are honored, and traditions are passed along.

The Nancy Brown Memorial People's Choice Award remains one of our cherished traditions, recognizing the community's favorite chili while honoring someone who holds a special place in the heart and history of Bo's Roast.

The Pat Campbell Memorial Best Dressed Booth Award celebrates the creativity, spirit, and enthusiasm of our competition teams while honoring Pat's memory.

And perhaps one of our most meaningful traditions is our Warrior Wall and Warrior Roll Call, when we come together to recognize cancer warriors, celebrate survivors, and remember loved ones who are no longer with us.

These moments remind us that while Bo's Roast is filled with fun and laughter, it has always been about the people.

2027: A Day at the Casino!

For our 16th annual celebration, we're rolling out the fun with our theme, A Day at the Casino!

We're inviting our competition teams to go all in with creative booths, festive decorations, and plenty of personality.

With 30 chili teams, six backyard BBQ competitors, live entertainment, oysters, great food, and a field full of friends, January 23, 2027, promises to be another memorable day.

We'll enjoy music from Phillip Brooks, Salty Still, The Shakin' Martinis, and BabyFat, with sound, production, and management by Graham Whorley.

And of course, there will be plenty of friendly competition, surprises, and opportunities to make new memories.

The People Behind the Roast

An event like Bo's Roast doesn't happen because of one person.

It happens because of an extraordinary community.

Our sponsors believe in what we're doing. Our volunteers give their time and energy. Our chili and BBQ competitors put their hearts into every entry. Our musicians share their talents. Our local businesses step up year after year.

And our guests continue showing up, bringing friends, purchasing tickets, cheering on competitors, and helping keep this tradition alive.

Every sponsor, volunteer, competitor, musician, and ticket holder is part of the Bo's Roast story.

We are grateful for every single one of you.

Having Fun While Making a Difference

What makes Bo's Roast especially meaningful is that all this fun supports something bigger.

The 16th Annual Bo's Roast benefits Islands Against Cancer, Inc., a Charleston-based nonprofit providing free support and resources to cancer patients and their caregivers.

It's our way of turning a wonderful community tradition into an opportunity to help others.

And we believe there's something pretty special about doing good while having a great time!

Come Be Part of the Tradition!

Whether you've been with us since the early years or you're joining us for the very first time, there's a place for you at Bo's Roast.

Bring your friends. Bring your appetite. Wear your dancing shoes. Cheer for your favorite chili team. Honor a cancer warrior. And enjoy an afternoon that celebrates everything we love about our Lowcountry community.

Saturday, January 23, 2027
James Island County Park | Charleston, SC
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Sixteen years of memories. Sixteen years of friendship. Sixteen years of coming together.

And we're just getting started!

Together, We Roast. Together, We Raise. Together, We Make a Difference.

www.bosroast.com

16th Annual Bo’s Roast & Chili Cook-Off

Best Backyard Party for a Cause

Team Members