Smoked Festival eyes Nambour Showgrounds for 2027

“Our inaugural event in Rocky got 15,000 people over two days and we’re really excited.”

A major barbecue and lifestyle festival that attracted 15,000 people to its inaugural Rockhampton event is planning to make Nambour its second home.

Capricorn Events’ Jake Black told the Nambour Chamber of Commerce Coffee Catch Up that the company planned to bring Smoked Festival to Nambour Showgrounds on March 12 and 13, 2027.

Mr Black said Smoked Festival was a barbecue, lifestyle and entertainment event, and organisers had been looking for the right place to expand.

“Our inaugural event in Rocky got 15,000 people over two days and we’re really excited,” he said.

Mr Black, who is also based on the Sunshine Coast, said Nambour stood out when the company considered where to take the festival next.

“When we were looking for a place to call our second home, I told our company, why aren’t we looking in the Sunny Coast?” he said. “Nambour really resonated with us.”

He said the Showgrounds facilities and Nambour’s central location made the town a strong fit for the event. “It’s in the middle of the Sunshine Coast. It just seemed perfect for what we wanted to do and where we want to go with this event,” he said.

Mr Black said the region’s population and the positive stories coming out of Nambour had helped confirm the decision.

“It just seems like we’re making the right move and we’re very excited,” he said.

He invited local businesses interested in being part of the event to make contact.