There is something special about living in the Village of Oak Creek. Maybe it’s the spectacular Sedona red rock scenery, the familiar faces at our local businesses, or the way neighbors come together when there’s something worth celebrating. On September 12, 2026, we experienced all of those things at the 12th Annual VOC Community BBQ.
And what an afternoon it turned out to be!
This year’s BBQ attracted our largest crowd ever, filling VOCA Park with families, friends, music, laughter, and the unmistakable community spirit that makes the Village such a wonderful place to call home.
For Danielle and me, along with our longtime co-organizer Andrew Bailor, seeing so many people enjoying themselves was the greatest reward. After all, this event doesn’t happen without the people who show up, participate, and make it their own.
From a Simple Idea to a Village Tradition
When Danielle and I first began organizing the VOC Community BBQ, our son was just four years old. We had already fallen in love with the Village of Oak Creek and recognized an opportunity to create something that brought our neighbors together.
Working with fellow local professional Andrew Bailor, we turned that idea into an annual community celebration.
What began as a relatively simple neighborhood gathering has grown into a tradition that connects longtime residents, newer neighbors, families, local businesses, volunteers, and community organizations.
Over the years, we’ve watched children grow up, welcomed new faces, reconnected with old friends, and seen local businesses enthusiastically embrace the event.
Thirteen years after we began this journey, the 12th Annual VOC Community BBQ demonstrated just how special this tradition has become.
Our Biggest BBQ Yet — And Did We Ever Go Through Some Food!
One way to appreciate the turnout is to look at just how much everyone enjoyed the food!
During this year’s four-hour celebration, we went through an incredible amount:
- 90 pounds of BBQ pork and chicken
- 500 hot dogs
- 45 pounds of coleslaw
- 20 bags of chips
- 40 watermelons
Yes, we actually ran out of food! Our neighbors certainly brought their appetites.
And then there was the ice cream.
Our friends at Rocky RD Ice Cream served an astonishing 665 free scoops, representing a retail value of approximately $3,375.
Their contribution included the annual return of Javelina Tracks, a specialty ice cream flavor created specifically for our Village BBQ and available only at this event once a year.
For many of our attendees, Javelina Tracks has become a delicious part of the tradition.
Live Music, a New Dunk Tank and Fun for the Entire Family
One of the things we love about hosting a community event in Sedona is having access to so much wonderful local talent.
This year’s entertainment featured Sugar Moon, whose fantastic performance provided the soundtrack for our afternoon. Lead vocalist Gioia also served as our master of ceremonies, keeping everyone informed and entertained throughout the celebration.
A very special thank-you goes to Yavapai Title Agency for providing additional sponsorship specifically for the band.
This year, we also introduced a brand-new attraction: the dunk tank.
And what a hit it was!
Organizers, sponsors, and community leaders volunteered to take their places above the water while children and adults took their best shots at sending them splashing into the tank.
Among those brave enough to participate were Paul Cummo of Rocky RD Ice Cream, Leslie Osbourn of SNAP Fitness, Laura Malone of the Village of Oak Creek Association, Paul Bowles of Arizona North Tree Service, Anthony Selna of Yavapai Title Agency, and Clark’s Market manager Kevin Frye, along with the event organizers.
It was an opportunity to see some familiar Village faces in an entirely different setting, and it produced plenty of laughter.
Our friends at the VOCA Pickleball Group also returned with games and demonstrations at the pickleball courts. New sponsor Village Clinic Sedona joined the fun by providing cornhole games.
Between the live music, inflatables, family activities, pickleball, cornhole, and dunk tank, there was something for practically everyone.
An Event Made Possible by Our Local Community
One of the things that makes the Annual VOC Community BBQ different is that absolutely everything is free.
There are no admission charges, no food purchases, and no fees for enjoying the entertainment or activities.
Here’s how we make that possible.
The three organizers — Damian Bruno, Danielle Giann, and Andrew Bailor — personally purchase all the BBQ food(Clarks gives us a great local discount!). Rocky RD Ice Cream generously sponsors and provides its own ice cream at its own expense. Our participating business sponsors contribute the funds that pay for the live music, inflatable attractions, games, and other entertainment.
It’s a collaborative approach that allows us to give something back to the community without asking attendees to spend a penny.
We are especially grateful to our 2026 sponsors:
Yavapai Title Agency, Rocky RD Ice Cream, SNAP Fitness, Eye Boutique of Sedona, Bell Rock Veterinary Clinic, The Village Veterinary Hospital, Village Clinic Sedona, Flew The Coop, Arizona North Tree Service, and the Rotary Club of Sedona Village.
We also want to recognize Clark’s Market, which has supported our event year after year by offering generous discounts on our food purchases and providing valuable advertising space in front of its Village supermarket.
These businesses represent something we genuinely appreciate about the Sedona area: neighbors and local businesses supporting one another.
Celebrating the Organizations That Make Our Community Stronger
Beyond food and entertainment, the annual BBQ provides an opportunity to connect with organizations that serve Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek, and the greater Verde Valley.
This year, we were delighted to welcome the American Red Cross, Rotary Club of Sedona Village, Volunteer Sedona, Humane Society of Sedona, and Sedona Fire District.
The Verde Valley Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club also joined us with games and raffles.
Having these organizations participate adds another dimension to the celebration. Residents can meet volunteers, discover community programs, and learn about opportunities to become involved.
That sense of connection is a big part of what we hoped to create when we started the BBQ.
The Village of Oak Creek: A Community Beneath the Red Rocks
As longtime Village of Oak Creek homeowners and real estate professionals, Danielle and I have spent more than two decades enjoying the lifestyle that makes this corner of the Sedona area so appealing.
We’re surrounded by incredible natural beauty, with hiking and biking trails, golf courses, outdoor recreation, neighborhood restaurants, and those spectacular red rock views that never seem to get old.
But there’s another side to Village life that isn’t quite so easy to capture in photographs.
It’s recognizing neighbors at the grocery store, greeting familiar faces during morning walks, getting involved with local organizations, and seeing hundreds of people gather in a beautiful community park simply because they enjoy being together.
The Annual VOC Community BBQ is one of our favorite expressions of that lifestyle.
For a few hours each September, the park becomes an enormous neighborhood gathering where everyone is welcome. It reminds us that a community is about much more than its scenery or amenities. It’s about the people who live here and the connections they make.
A Special Thank-You to VOCA
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Laura Malone, Community Manager, and the Village of Oak Creek Association (VOCA) for their continued generosity and support. Each year, VOCA graciously allows us to use its beautiful park for the entire day, providing the perfect setting for our community to gather beneath Sedona’s spectacular red rocks. From accommodating our activities and helping with event logistics to making the park available to hundreds of neighbors and families, Laura and the VOCA team play an essential role in making this celebration possible. We truly appreciate their partnership and commitment to bringing the Village community together year after year.
Thank You for Making This Our Biggest BBQ Ever
To everyone who attended the 12th Annual VOC Community BBQ, we cannot thank you enough.
You made this year’s event the most-attended celebration in our history, and seeing so many neighbors, friends, and families enjoying the afternoon made every bit of planning worthwhile.
Thank you to our sponsors for their generosity, to our volunteers for their hard work, to the participating nonprofits for sharing their time, and to VOCA for helping us bring this annual tradition to the community.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who showed up.
You are the reason we continue organizing this event year after year.
From Damian, Danielle, and Andrew, thank you for making the 12th Annual Village of Oak Creek Community BBQ one we’ll never forget.
We look forward to seeing everyone next year!
Frequently asked questions
What is the Village of Oak Creek Community BBQ?
The VOC Community BBQ is a free annual neighborhood celebration held at VOCA Park in the Village of Oak Creek, near Sedona, Arizona. It features complimentary food, ice cream, live music, family activities, and participation from local businesses and community organizations.
Who organizes the Annual VOC Community BBQ?
The event is organized by local residents and professionals Damian Bruno, Danielle Giann, and Andrew Bailor. The three organizers personally provide the BBQ food, while Rocky RD Ice Cream and other local sponsors contribute refreshments, entertainment, and activities.
What makes the Village of Oak Creek community unique?
The Village of Oak Creek combines Sedona’s famous red rock scenery with outdoor recreation, golf, local restaurants, community organizations, and neighborhood traditions such as the Annual VOC Community BBQ.
For more information on next years event please visit https://www.facebook.com/VOCBBQ
