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B'S DINING EXPERIENCE PRESENTS

FESTIVAL

RIGHT THERE!

Looka That Festival Right There! is more than a food festival, it's a celebration of food, culture, and community. Discover incredible flavors from across the Southeast and beyond, support local businesses, enjoy live entertainment, and experience a day where every family, every culture, and every taste is welcome. Come hungry. Leave connected.

FREE ADMISSION

Sat, Aug 8, 2026 • 11 AM – 5 PM

The Boardwalk at University City
8931 J M Keynes Dr. • Charlotte, NC

LOOKA THAT

FREE ADMISSION ✦ 30+ FOOD VENDORS ✦ LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ✦ GIVEAWAYS ✦ FAMILY FRIENDLY ✦ FREE BOOKBAG GIVEAWAY ✦ CELEBRITY GUESTS ✦ FREE ADMISSION

Featured Creators

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BERNARD HARDISON
B's Dining Experience

"Mr. Baptism"

  • Instagram

Founder of Looka That Festival Right There! and creator of the viral "Baptized Chicken" experience.

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WALTER

"Mr. Tendernism"

  • Instagram

Meet Mr. Tendernism, grab exclusive merchandise, take photos, and experience one of social media's most recognizable personalities.

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LES BBQ

"Oxtail King"

  • Instagram

Experience "Texas In Every Wayyy" with Les BBQ's famous Oxtail Softballs.

ABOUT LOOKA THAT FESTIVAL

Building stronger communities through great food and purposeful giving.

10,000+

1,000

30+

wings fried at one event

free bookbags
for kids

vendors on the field

Looka That Festival Right There! is the vision of viral food creator Bernard Hardison, founder of B's Dining Experience and the man behind the viral catchphrase "Baptize the Chicken". What started as a passion for bringing people together through great food has grown into a community celebration dedicated to supporting local businesses, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, and giving back to families.

From free book bag giveaways and local vendor opportunities to unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages, every part of the festival is designed with one goal in mind:
building stronger communities through great food and purposeful giving.
WHAT TO EXPECT

A full day of fire, flavor & community.

Live fire cooking, signature dishes, music, giveaways and a festival atmosphere built for everyone. Come hungry, leave inspired.

Signature Food Experiences

From Bernard Hardison's world-famous Baptized Chicken to BBQ, seafood, oxtails, turkey legs, desserts, and more. Discover incredible flavors from local chefs and food vendors all in one place.

Community Impact

More than just a festival, this event is built around giving back. Support local businesses, enjoy family activities, participate in community giveaways, and help us make a positive impact throughout Charlotte.

Live Entertainment

Enjoy live bands, hosts, percussion performances, celebrity appearances, and entertainment throughout the day while experiencing the energy that makes Looka That Festival Right There unforgettable.

ENTERTAINMENT

Hosts, Music &
Special Guests

Live hosts, music, performances, and special guests keep the festival going from start to finish.

Locally recognized television personality and dynamic event emcee, Lexus Singleton has hosted major events across the Carolinas and beyond. She will lead the festivities and keep the energy high throughout the day.

Lexus Singleton

Actor, comedian, producer, and former professional dancer from Charleston, SC. After performing with artists including Chris Brown and Fifth Harmony, he gained national attention through viral comedy and signed with Kevin Hart's HartBeat Digital. Known for portraying Bobby Brown in BET's The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story, and seen in Power Book II: Ghost.

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Woody McClain

MUSIC LINEUP

V-KEYZ & CO.

V-Keyz is a self-taught musician who began playing piano at the age of 9, learning gospel songs by ear. He has performed with several bands, including Mellogroove, an R&B ensemble that was inducted into the City of Rock Hill, S.C.’s Hall of Fame as a historic music group. His solo talents have landed him performances from Florida to New York, as well as auditions for NBC’s “The Voice,” and FOX’s “The Four.”

AP & Soulful Touche ft. the G.U.M.B.O Choir

AP & Soulful Touche' is a dynamic live music collective founded by Alexis Pipkins Jr AP, delivering powerful performances that blend soul, gospel, jazz, R&B, funk, and contemporary music into one unforgettable experience. Alongside The G.U.M.B.O. Choir, the group inspires audiences through authentic artistry, community, and connection. G.U.M.B.O.—Giving • Unique • Melodies • Beats • Omnipotent—is more than a genre; it's a movement dedicated to uplifting people, celebrating culture, and touching the souls of those that choose to listen.

QUEEN CITY ELITE PERCUSSION

Queen City Elite Percussion is a talented drumline based in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing their incredible energy and showmanship to this year’s Looka That Festival Right There! Known for their high-energy performances and crowd engagement, Queen City Elite is ready to deliver a unique experience for festival attendees of all ages. We’re excited to welcome them to the entertainment lineup and can’t wait for them to bring their signature sound and excitement to the stage.

THE VENDORS

25+ food, drink & sweet-treat vendors.

From baptized chicken and New Orleans gator to chargrilled oysters, soul food, turkey legs, funnel cakes and candied fruit, the best food, all on one field.

IN COLLABORATION WITH BERNARD HARDISON
Big Papi's Smokehouse

New Orleans, LA

Fresh gator grilled on-site while supplies last

Tastebudz

Columbia, SC

Free seafood & oxtail rasta pasta samples while supplies last

Elemental Food Service

Columbia, SC

Free mini beef patty samples while supplies last

Lexy the Fooodie

South Florida

Free gourmet cookie samples while supplies last

Bernard Hardison

Fluffy's Rolls

Les BBQ

Big Backs Food Truck

Lemon Squeeze

Big Slim

Corner Boys BBQ

Da' Loaded Kitchen

Drums VS Flats

Geechie Gal Seafood

Lela's Mini Donuts

No Sauce Smokehouse

Sw33t Tooth

Topliners Water Ice

Avon's Skin So Soft

Crucial's Frozen Drinks

Dash-N-Dogz

Erica's Cake Factory

Gouda's Kitchen

Mesha's Sinful Cakes

Southern Slut Sweets & Treats

Tastebudz

Trap Snackz

Legendary Fashion and Accessories

Cuzzo's Cuisine

Dream Kreams

Fancy Funnel Cakez

It's Nothing Bigger Than Catering

Nine Oh One Bachi

Street Oysters

The Blessed Sweet Spot

Wise Fish and Chips

Ling Jr Books

Want to join us at a future event?

Vendor applications for this year's festival are now closed. Join our Vendor Interest List and be the first to know when applications open for future festivals, pop-ups, and community events.

OUR SPONSORS

Grateful for our sponsor family.

We're grateful to the businesses, organizations, and community partners helping make Looka That Festival Right There! possible. Our sponsor family continues to grow.

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Partner with us.

Help create an exciting community festival experience while gaining visibility for your business or organization.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The Boardwalk at
University City | Charlotte, NC

Behind The Shoppes at University Place (The Boardwalk at University City). 8931 J M Keynes Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262 · Saturday, August 8, 2026 · 11 AM–5 PM.

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   Parking & Directions

  • Primary parking: JW Clay Park & Ride garage | 9048 N. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28262. Park in the deck and follow event signs.

  • Additional free parking at The Shoppes at University Place (limited, fills quickly).

  • Rideshare services encouraged.

  • Event location: behind The Shoppes at University Place (The Boardwalk) | 8931 J M Keynes Dr.

  • Additional parking: University City Blvd Station | 7205 N. Tryon St (fee may apply on exit).

join-the-community

Join the community.

Join the Looka That community to get exclusive updates on upcoming festivals, pop-ups, merchandise drops, giveaways, special guests, vendor opportunities, and more. Subscribers receive announcements before they're shared publicly.
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