
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.
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 • 11 AM – 5 PM
The Boardwalk at University City
8931 J M Keynes Dr. • Charlotte, NC
LOOKA THAT
Featured Creators
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.

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
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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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
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Primary parking: JW Clay Park & Ride garage | 9048 N. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28262. Park in the deck and follow event signs.
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Additional free parking at The Shoppes at University Place (limited, fills quickly).
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Rideshare services encouraged.
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Event location: behind The Shoppes at University Place (The Boardwalk) | 8931 J M Keynes Dr.
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Additional parking: University City Blvd Station | 7205 N. Tryon St (fee may apply on exit).
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