Photo Recap of #CarowindsBBB #FamilyFun #Food #Beer #BBQ #LiveMusic in #CLT @Carowinds

August 1, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

Summer Days are for Beers and BBQ..throw in a live band and you have a fun foodie celebration! Beginning July 29, Carowinds fires up the grill for its Second Annual FOOD AND BEER FESTIVAL: BANDS, BREWS & BBQs !

It will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from July 29 through August 14 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and is included with park admission. On Sunday, SobeSavvy.com joined other foodies at this festival known for its good food, good beer, good music and good times!

As soon as we arrived at Carowinds, we just followed the smell of barbecue to food booths near Harmony Hall. I was happy to see such a variety of smoked meats paired with Chow Chow to choose from ! Park goers got to sample everything from beef brisket (my personal favorite! So tender and flavorful) to turkey wings to duck, and top it off with one of many variations of sauces ranging from sweet to tangy to mustard and downright vinegar. We tried a blueberry chipotle that was amazing!

To purchase beer or food for Bands, Brews and BBQs, guests bought tokens from a token booth inside the park located near Harmony Hall. Guests 21 years of age or older were able to choose from an amazing selection of craft beers from several Carolina breweries. Nothing goes better with barbecue than a nice, cold brew! And for dessert? Some good ol’ homemade banana pudding! We sat down and chowed down while listening to local bands play on the patio just outside of Harmony Hall. And inside the air conditioned Harmony Hall , we got to see more entertainment: The Lunch with the Peanuts Gang! If you haven’t seen Snoopy and Charlie Brown get down, this is your chance.

“We’re so pleased to bring back Bands, Brews and BBQs for another year at the park,” says Kris Suita, Carowinds executive chef. “We’ve brought together three favorites under one roof- food, brew and music. Mix that with world-class rides and attractions, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for fun.”

Where to Stay for Carowinds ” Bands, Brews and Bbq “

If you are looking for comfortable accomodations that are suitable for families and conveniently close to Carowinds , I recommend Homewood Suites by Hilton Charlotte Ballantyne.

It’s a full suite property just 10 miles from Carowinds ! My family of 3 stayed in a King One Bedroom Suite , which had a sleeper sofa couch in the living area with its own TV, a full kitchen as well as a great privacy factor between the living space and bedroom area. Read my prior full review of this hotel and why we love it so much here and be sure to follow this wonderful hotel on Facebook .

To find out more about Bands, Brews & BBQs, see a complete band line-up for the event, or to purchase Carowinds tickets, visit www.carowinds.com.Also check out social media to see what guests are sharing using hashtag #CarowindsBBB !
Before the summer ends make sure to take your family or plan a visit with friends to Carowinds. This festival is one not to be missed and enjoyable for all.

Here are some of my foodie pictures along with family fun moments made at Bands, Brews and BBQ!

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Look who we ran into.. fellow Lifestyle/Food/Mommy Blogger @BeingReese

#RuPaulBOTS Make ‘Herstory’ @DPAC RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of the Seasons:2016 #Extravaganza Tour @RuPaulBots

May 23, 2016SobeSavvy 2 Comments

As you may have seen in Huffington Post , the Queens made history (well HERstory) by coming to Durham, NC and facing the challenges of the discriminatory HB2 law.
They came, they slayed, they conquered… and performed an amazing show!

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE” FAN FAVORITES are on the road FOR LARGEST “BATTLE OF THE SEASONS” TOUR YET, TRAVELING TO 57 GLOBAL MARKETS which included A STOP AT DPAC MAY 22, 2016 .

Producer Entertainment Group and Sidecar Management, in conjunction with World of Wonder and Logo TV, announced the return of the world’s biggest touring drag revue, based on international megahit TV franchise “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (RPDR). Seeing this extravaganza up close was an opportunity I could not miss! I especially liked seeing the unscripted, unexpected SNATCH GAME live!

The “Battle of the Seasons” tour, now in its third consecutive year of growth, was hosted by series judge Michelle Visage and included an allstar cast of past winners, runners up and fan favorites from each season of RPDR, including: *Adore Delano, *Alaska, BenDeLaCreme, *Courtney Act, *Ginger Minj, Ivy Winters, Jinkx Monsoon, Katya, Manila Luzon, *Miss Fame, Pandora Boxx, *Phi Phi O’hara, Sharon Needles, *Violet Chachki and Willam to name a few. (Lineup varies by city and is subject to change. Check local listings for expected performers. *These were the performers at DPAC) In addition, select cities will feature an opening DJ set by Pearl.

“Last year the world got merely a taste of RuPaul’s queens with the first global Battle of the Seasons Tour,” said Michelle Visage, host of the “Battle of the Seasons” tour and permanent judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. “This year we are back, and these ladies are bigger and badder than before! Get ready for the ULTIMATE RuPaul’s Drag Race experience from the minute you walk through the doors. It is a once in a lifetime extravaganza that you will NOT want to miss!”

The “Extravaganza” tour began with a 14 city Europe cycle launching from Antwerp, Belgium on March 17, 2016. The second leg of the tour kicked off in Seattle, Washington on April 19, 2016 and is crossing the United States and Canada with 43 stops.
We got to witness the eleganza and gag on the shade of it all in a night of unforgettable music and madness with the world’s most talented drag performers!
• Ticket information for the 58 date “RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of the Seasons: 2016 Extravaganza Tour” is available now at www.RuPaulBOTS.com.

Follow the “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons” tour on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @RuPaulBOTS and join the conversation by using #RuPaulBOTS #Extravaganza. For more information visit: http://rupaulbots.com/.

Here is my photo montage featuring a few photos taken of the fans, the fun and the fierceness seen on the scene by SobeSavvy.com ! Enjoy!

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#TravelTuesday : #SobeSavvy Samples the Carolinas at #TasteCarolina @Carowinds

April 19, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

This past Sunday I took my daughter on a little road trip from Raleigh to Charlotte. Off we went on I-85 South to the famous Carowinds Amusement Park https://www.carowinds.com

The Spring weather had finally taken hold and it was a bright and warm afternoon when we arrived. Although they have immense rollercoasters and rides , we were there for the Taste Of The Carolinas Food and drink Festival https://www.carowinds.com/taste

This event is a culinary salute to unique Carolina cuisine from both North and South. There are 7 different food booths representing different regions/areas of the Carolinas. Simply purchase your tokens of various amounts and take a food journey through the history of the Carolinas.

We didn’t know where to start, but we decided on the Charleston booth. We chose the shrimp and grits. Unlike the traditional dish, the fresh Carolina shrimp were coated in a grits batter and fried to a golden brown served with awesome tarter sauce. Superb! Next up around the corner was a order of catfish from the Outer Banks booth. Fresh and delicious. Time for something cold to wash all that goodness down with. I went with a local craft beer from the wine and beer booth. All beer and wines on sale are from Carolina breweries and wineries. We strolled down to the Low Country of South Carolina booth for seafood gumbo. Right amount of heat and the Okra was perfect.

Since my sweet tooth was calling, I decided on some Pecan Cinnamon Bread Pudding from the mountains of Asheville. Topped with cream cheese icing, this was literally a great way to end our food travels at Carowinds. It was great to be able to take a food tour all in one compact area. This unique even takes place every Saturday and Sunday through May 1. Whether you are near or far from Charlotte, take a trip to Carowinds..your stomach will thank you !