Grillers cook up their best burger creations at Burgerfest in Paradise

ENGLEWOOD — The first Burgerfest in Paradise was a smashing success in Englewood in 2023, drawing expert grillers to come out and cook up their best burger creations.

Pioneer Plaza saw dozens of community members come and try some burger bites and listen to music. It didn’t take long for the grillers to run out of meat.

Founder Janet Shawen with Rotary Club of Englewood Sunset Impact, Inc. said it’s time to do it all again.

It’s set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 19 at Pioneer Plaza.

Shawen said there will be three different bands, and a “People’s Choice Award” voted on by the public by the purchase of voting tickets for $1 each.

“I have a beautiful trophy for the winner,” Shawen said. “There’s a squishy burger on top.”

There will also be blind judging by local celebrities and professional chefs for both business and residential grilling teams.

Spots are still open with an entry fee of $25 for residential and $50 for restaurants, and grillers must only use charcoal grills. To register, visit burgerfestinparadise.com.

Rotary of Englewood Sunset Impact has partnered with Fire It Up Grills & Outdoor Feature to bring for a chance to win an Icon Ceramic Grill & Smoker valued at $1,235.

Tickets will be $10 each or 12 for $100 for the raffle.

“It’s going to be fun,” Shawen said. “The impact group that I’m with now their theme is to help impact women, so that’s where our money’s going to go this year, is to, you know, impact somebody.”