Naples, FL – The Farm-City BBQ, Collier County’s beloved pre-Thanksgiving tradition that brings the community together in gratitude, unity, and celebration for the hands that grow our food, the land that sustains it and the businesses that support the community, announced that tickets are now sale for its 68th annual event to be held November 26, 2025 at 11:30 am at the Collier County Fairgrounds.
What began decades ago as a simple gesture of support between local farmers and business leaders has grown into a cherished gathering of food, fellowship, and purpose.
Each year, thousands of attendees made up of the business community, elected officials, families and neighbors – donned in cowboy hats and jeans – gather to share a hearty meal, give thanks for a thriving community and support the next generation of youth on the day before Thanksgiving.
The event takes place during National Farm-City Week, a time set aside during Thanksgiving to celebrate and recognize the beneficial partnerships between rural and urban communities that make our food supply safe and plentiful. For 68 years in Collier County the occasion has been marked by the annual Farm-City BBQ in which leaders from the coastal and interior regions of the county get together to feast on locally grown food.
This wildly popular, fun event includes networking, live-music by Back Country Boys Band, youth fundraising and a steak lunch that includes Immokalee-grown vegetables as well as beer and wine. As a true, heartfelt display of service and tradition, volunteer business leaders man the grills and sides are served by Collier County elected officials who volunteer as celebrity servers.
The event is being co-chaired by Russell Budd, co-founder of PBS Contractors, and Gloria Padilla, Community Relationship Manager of RCMA.
“This event is a celebration of community connection and mutual appreciation that has made Farm-City BBQ one of the most well-attended and beloved annual events in Collier County,” said Budd who has chaired the event for the last three years and has been involved for over 20 years. “We consider it ‘the family reunion for the business community’, including the business of farming. Everyone is welcome. It’s a casual event with great food and great conversation that thousands look forward to all year.”
“Countless people in our community prepare, transport, market, and retail the food grown right here at 300 farms on almost 150,000 acres in Collier County,” added Padilla whose organization supports children in farm working and low-income families in Immokalee. “Our goal with the event is to commemorate the interdependence of the vibrant network of farmers and business owners who support the economy and our people. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to consider the food on our tables and where it comes from while raising funds to support our future leaders.”
Proceeds and Tickets
Proceeds benefit youth development programs across Collier County. Youth represented from the beneficiaries will be on hand to serve as volunteers and assist with a variety of fundraising opportunities including the opportunity to buy a:
- Farm-City BBQ knife – a must-have for carving into those perfectly grilled steaks
- Fresh Veggie Bag generously donated by Lipman Family Farms – ideal for incorporating into Thanksgiving dishes
- Or make a donation for a chance to win a Big Green Egg grill donated by Sunshine Ace Hardware.
Tickets are $30 per person for the steak lunch or $40 per person for a steak lunch and drinks package. The prices will increase on October 1st and again for event day walk-ins. Sponsorships and tickets are available at FarmCityBBQ.com.
Sponsors to date include: Naples Lumber, Sunshine Ace Hardware, Lipman Family Farms, PBS Contractors, Waste Management, Ave Maria, Brian A. Glaeser State Farm, Naples Airport Authority, Q. Grady Minor, Bank of America, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Mgmt., Manuel Padilla Construction, First Horizon, EK Consulting, Inc, Life in Naples.
About the Beneficiaries
- Collier County 4H is a Youth Development Program that uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth gain the knowledge and skills they need to be responsible, productive citizens.
- Collier County Junior Deputies prepares Collier County youth, in cooperation with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, to become responsible, law-abiding citizens through camps, and various community events.
- Key Clubs of Collier County is a student-led program of Kiwanis that provides high schoolers with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership
- Youth Leadership Collier is a youth development program run by the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce for rising seniors. Through a weekend retreat, hands-on business and leadership experiences, and exclusive behind-the-scenes sessions, students explore local businesses, healthcare, law enforcement, media, arts and environment and more while learning about the community’s biggest opportunities and challenges.
About Farm-City BBQ
Rooted in a 68-year legacy, this cherished event began when Naples’ business leaders extended a hand to local farmers during a tough harvest year, ensuring no family would go without on Thanksgiving. The following year, the farmers returned the gesture, and a tradition of mutual support and community care was born. At its heart, Farm-City BBQ provides an opportunity to celebrate farmers, business owners and neighbors and give thanks for the food on our tables, the hands that grow it, and the people who make this community thrive. Today, the Farm-City BBQ continues that legacy, serving up a delicious, locally sourced meal prepared by volunteers and served by Collier County elected officials. To date, the Farm-City BBQ has raised more than $630,000 for youth development programs in Collier County. To learn more visit FarmCityBBQ.com.
