Buellton residents come out for 24th BBQ Bonanza

By Mike Chaldu · Mon Aug 17 2026

Attendees enjoy free meal, live music, and a few summer activities as July nears its end

By Mike Chaldu

Citizens of Buellton came out to celebrates the city and the middle of summer, as free tri-tip sandwich and hot dog meals were given out at the 24th Buellton BBQ Bonanza July 25 at River View Park.

The event is an annual get-together open to Buellton residents, all of whom get a free ticket to the Bonanza in the mail.

Attendees enjoyed their meals, served by many volunteers and some city dignitaries, while listening to live music from Different Strings, a local rock/country band, being greeted by community booths with many Buellton organizations. Meanwhile, youngsters looking to cool off go to use the inflatable waterslides set up on the lawn.

Observing this from the Friends of the Buellton Library table was Holly Sierra, the former mayor of Buellton who's now involved in the library organization and was getting ready to raffle off a quilt to some lucky winner.

Sierra paused to enjoy the atmosphere at the latest of many Bonanzas she attended.

"It's just another example of why this is the best community," she said.

It was a sentiment shared by many at the barbecue, many of whom have been in the city for years.

"I was at the first one when it was a lot smaller," said long-time resident Lou Fox Bender. "I think they had the fire department come out and serve the tri-tip for us."

Bender's friend Clare Barcelona said she's been to most of the Bonanzas over the years.

"I've gone to quite a few of them; unfortunately, COVID ruined that for a few years, but now they've come back strong, and it's always a good time," she said.

Nearby, under a nice shade tree, a group of friends from the Rancho Club Mobile Estates, just a few blocks away from the park.

"We meet up all the time, most of it at the mobile-home park, but this was a great opportunity to come out and enjoy the food and meet some other people in town," said Michelle Vogler, who was there with Gail and Joe Fill, Marti Lopez, and Nina Law enjoying the food and nice weather.

The BBQ Bonanza also provided a chance for some family outings. Kristen and Jonathan Roylance were able to put up a canopy near the water slide, so their kids could have fun.

"I think we've been to most of these since we moved here with our kids," said Kristen Roylance, who boasts children Carson, Samuel, Valerie, and Emily among her brood. "We love that this is free, and we love that it brings the community together."

"Things like this are the reason we moved here," Jonathan Roylance added.

While no date for the next BBQ Bonanza is set, it is generally slated for the last Saturday in July, so make plans for July 31, 2027, at River View Park.