CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As the place where the Carolinas come together, Carowinds knows a thing or two about having a good time.  The park is holding an end of summer party, Bands, Brews and BBQs, beginning Friday, July 31.  This inaugural festival combines three things Carolinians love: the best ale, sounds and barbecue eatin' around.

Bands, Brews and BBQs will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from July 31 through August 16.  Food booths will be open beginning at 11 a.m.

"We are excited to continue the enhancements we have made this year to our culinary programs with the introduction of another signature food event.  It truly makes it a 'best day ever' park experience for our guests", says Kris Suita, Carowinds executive chef.  "And after the positive response we received from our Taste of the Carolinas event this past spring, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to end the summer with something that defines the Carolina experience – mouthwatering BBQ."

Bands, Brews and BBQs is the perfect way to countdown the final days of summer as the midways fill with the sweet smells of smoked BBQ:

• Guests will be able to visit various booths that will serve smoked beef, pork and poultry. Two smokers were custom built just for this event.
• A dedicated booth featuring regional BBQ sauces will offer 24 different flavors.
• Guests 21 years of age of older will be able to purchase an amazing selection of craft beers, featuring approximately 10 brands.  

From country to rock, we've paired your favorite barbecue and brews with some amazing local bands which will perform each day of the event.

The band lineup includes:

• July 31 – Natty Boh Duo (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Tony Barnes (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• August 1 – Back Porch Orchestra (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Cho Cho Tumbleweed (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• August 2 – Tony Barnes (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Tim Elliot (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• August 7 – Cho Cho Tumbleweed (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Back Porch Orchestra (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• August 8 – Early Ray (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Chris Winward (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• August 9 – Chris Winward (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Tim Elliot (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• August 14 – Natty Boh Duo (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Unspoken Tradition (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• August 15 – Unspoken Tradition (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Chris Winward (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• August 16 – Chris Winward (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and Tony Barnes (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Bands, Brews & BBQs is included with park admission. Food and beverages are sold separately.  Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages.  To buy Carowinds tickets and view more information regarding special events at the park, visit www.carowinds.com.

About Carowinds
For more than 40 years, Carowinds has been the place where the Carolinas come together. In 2015, we are excited to debut a fresh, new, and captivating experience for Carowinds -- one that celebrates the best that the Carolinas have to offer. We have nearly 400 acres packed with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions – everything you need for creating lifelong memories. Thrill-seekers will get their fix with a total of 14 roller coasters – only three parks in the world have more. Families will delight in the zany rides and activities at Planet Snoopy, featuring Snoopy and the entire PEANUTS™ gang. Everyone will enjoy our spectacular high-energy live shows. When the heat rises, cool down at Boomerang Bay, our 20-acre waterpark with two gigantic wave pools, exhilarating water slides, a lazy river and so much more. Plus, Boomerang Bay is included in your park admission.

Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FUN."  In addition to Carowinds, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks including Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, three water parks, one indoor water park, and five hotels.  Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract.

Contact: Laresa Thompson
              Public Relations Manager
              (704) 587-9050
              laresa.thompson@carowinds.com 

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SOURCE Carowinds