Lee BIA Builders Care’s popular BBQ, Bands & Brew fundraising event raised more than $96,000 to support the nonprofit in its mission to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means.

The 13th annual festival, held March 24 at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in downtown Fort Myers, drew in nearly 2,000 attendees and featured a lineup of live performances, food vendors and fun-filled activities for all ages, including a cornhole tournament and a children’s play area with face-painting, games and more.

All proceeds from the event will stay local to provide emergency construction services to Lee County homeowners in need.

Southwest Florida’s top pitmasters competed for the title of “Best BBQ in Town.”

Attendees of the event and a panel of celebrity judges helped to name winners in the following categories:

• People’s Choice: Big Smoke BBQ & Catering

• Best Overall: Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que

• Best Chicken: S.L.A.B. BBQ

• Best Pork: S.L.A.B. BBQ

• Best Ribs: Red’s What the Food

• Best Brisket: That BBQ Place

• Best Side Dish: 5 Piggies Bar-B-Que

To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has helped more than 500 Lee County households and provided over $5 million in emergency construction services and materials at no cost to families and local homeowners in need.

To learn more about Builders Care and its mission, visit LeeBuildersCare.org or call 239-938-0056.