The inaugural South East Beer & BBQ Festival will descend upon the Limestone Coast for a smokin' March weekend.

The Beer & BBQ Fest, which usually takes over the Showgrounds in July, is hitting the Limestone Coast next year for the first South East Beer & BBQ Festival.

For locals in the Limestone Coast region or visitors wanting to escape mad March in Adelaide, you can expect beer and BBQ (duh), a lineup of Aussie bands and a packed schedule of fun festival activities.

Beer & BBQ Festival co-director Gareth Lewis says the organisers hope this festival eventually “develops its own unique identity tied to the Limestone Coast”.

“We have felt nothing but supported by each and every person we have consulted with in building this event concept and feel privileged to be welcomed into the area,” he says.

“South East Beer & BBQ Fest is not a half-baked version of the Adelaide event but kind of like a ‘greatest hits’ of all the things we love.”

So, what can we expect on the greatest hits list?

Headlining the Saturday is Victoria’s The Smith Street Band and SA’s Bad//Dreems. Joining them on the day one lineup are Melbourne’s The Pretty Littles, Adelaide artists Blush and LOLA and Mt Gambier local groove duo Sexy As Shit.

On the Sunday, Regurgitator will headline alongside Magic Dirt. They’ll be joined by DEM MOB, fresh off the back of their many wins at the SA Music Awards.

Also on the day two lineup are some regulars in CityMag’s Best New Music column; electro group Tonix, new-wave Street Legal, indie-rock Mums Favourite and locals to the region, Stokes.

Hosting across the two stage set-up for the weekend is country artist and ARIA nominee, Henry Wagons.

CityMag is always stoked to see locals like Stokes on the lineup

While you’re getting around the stacked lineup of local artists, you can enjoy local brews from the Limestone Coast’s Woolstore, Loophole and Little Rippa.

Travelling to Mt Gambier for the occasion are Adelaide’s Pirate Life, Big Shed and Mismatch, along with some interstate visitors hauling kegs to Mt Gambier for the first time – Sydney’s Bracket Brewing and Melbourne’s The Mill and Sure Brewing.

Chef Kirby Shearing of Mt Gambier restaurant Soul Projects has come on board to assist the BBQ Curator of the festival, Alana Brabin.

The pair are doing a special collaboration, bringing in their teams from Alana’s Big Bad Wolf Catering and Kirby’s Elementary by Soul Co.

Other collaborations on the menu include Pirate Life Kitchen’s Rocky Oliveria and Mayura Station.

Food offerings also include Mt Gambier’s Lumberjack’s BBQ, Whyalla’s Uppercuts, Adelaide’s Cheekies Hot Chicken and Sydney’s Hoy Pinoy presenting Filipino BBQ.

Vegetarian and vegan BBQ offerings and non-alcoholic options will also be available from Limestone Coast locals yet to be announced.

Cheekies Hot Chicken looks like a festival banger

As well as good tunes, entertainment will include BMX and skating demonstrations, a silent disco and masterclass panels with the brewers and chefs.

A tattoo parlour will be set up for anyone eager to get inked, with other activities including axe throwing, a hot dog eating contest, markets, and the Beer Bod Wet T-Shirt Competition.

Saturday’s offering is only for those aged 18 or above, with Sunday being a family and dog-friendly event.

The South East Beer & BBQ Festival will be held at the Mt Gambier Railway Lands on March 9 & 10, with tickets available now on their website.