Bluegrass, Brew and BBQ benefit for Operation Open Arms

For the third year in a row, in honor of Memorial Day, Fort Myers Beach will host the Bluegrass, Brew and BBQ benefit.

The event will be held Saturday, May 28, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., benefitting Operation Open Arms, a Southwest Florida charity dedicated to the care and treatment of PTSD in military personnel and veterans, as well as supplying on-leave military personnel with retreats.

The patriotic event will feature live music from the Bugtussle Ramblers and the Cooter Creek Bluegrass Band, craft draft beer from Fort Myers Brewery, alligator wrestling from “The Gator Crusader,” and a $15 barbecue buffet cooked up by the legendary Chef Dave Chetwin.

The bluegrassin’ Bugtussle Ramblers will kick off the music that day, from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by the Cooter Creek Bluegrass Band from 5 to 8 p.m.

Keep cool with craft brews from Fort Myers Brewery, offering their High-Five IPA and Gateway Gold on tap from the craft beer tent on the bay, along with Matanzas additional tasty beer selection.

Chetwin is cooking up a patriotic feast, featuring smoked pork shank, barbecue ribs, his famous potato salad and corn on the cob, all buffet style, all for $15, with half of that price going directly to Operation Open Arms.

The Gator Crusader, making a special trip south from Orlando, will be entertaining with his alligator allies and ferocious feats.

Additional funds raised that day will be through a 50/50 drawing and many raffle prizes that will be called off, offering anything from champagne cruises and golf packages, donated by Capt John “GiddyUp” Bunch, and a two-night stay at Matanzas Inn, as well as a selection of other prizes.

For more information, call 239-463-3838 or visit: Matanzas.com.

Matanzas on the Bay is at 416 Crescent St. on Fort Myers Beach.

For more information on Operation Open Arms, to find out how you can help, or to make a donation, email: jb@operationopenarms.com or visit: OperationOpenArms.org.