Streams Community Hub hosts annual BBQ and Open House

July 2, 2026 · 0 Comments

Written By JOSHUA DRAKES

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Streams Community Hub opened its doors to the public to visit and check out its facility and programs.

In keeping with its mission of community support, outreach, and education, Streams hosted its annual BBQ and Open House on Friday, June 26, in the evening.

Anyone from the community was welcome to attend, whether they were kids, their families, or just passers-by curious about the smell of BBQ. The event was an opportunity to both give back to the community that supports it and also showcase what Streams is all about.

Co-founder Andrew James said that this year’s event may be the biggest yet, with a strong turnout. After previous years not agreeing on the weather, he said that 2026 delivered in every way. Moreover, the energy he observed in the crowd was exactly what he had hoped for. He observed total strangers talking like old friends, and new friendships between kids being forged throughout the day.

“Honestly, it might have been our best one yet,” James said. “There’s always a bit of nervous energy leading up to these things. You plan, you hope, you pray for good weather, but this year everything just came together. The sun cooperated, which, after a couple of rainy years, felt like a gift.”

“But more than the weather, it was the feeling in the space. People lingering, kids running around, parents chatting with each other like old friends, even if they’d just met. That’s really what we’re going for. Success for us is never about the size of the crowd – though we’ll take it – it’s about whether people felt at home. And they did,” James added.

The turnout was also the biggest Streams has seen since the BBQ and Open House started three years ago. Throughout the evening, Streams estimated over 50 people came through to enjoy some BBQ food and tour the facility.

For those who were hungry, jerk chicken, beef sliders, hot dogs and more were available outside in the parking lot, offering a wide variety of food options along with drinks and sides. When guests finished eating, tours of the Hub ran throughout the event.

Streams received many new or first-time visitors who were eager to explore and learn more about what the community has to offer. Parents came with questions, wanting to know more, how they can get involved, and complimented Streams’ ongoing operations.

James recounted a specific family that came out after seeing Streams’ production of Finding Nemo.

“A mom had first come to see our production of Finding Nemo Jr. back in early June with her kids’ school group, and she loved it so much she brought the whole family back to see it again that same weekend,” he said. “They came out to the BBQ to get a better look at what else we do here. Dad and I got talking, and he made a point of telling me how much he appreciated having a space like this in the community.”

James continued, “Somewhere safe for kids, somewhere with people who genuinely care about them. That’s the whole reason we do this. Moments like that make every bit of the planning worth it.”

With a strong community turnout and some good food, the BBQ and Open House was exactly what Streams had hoped for. New bonds were formed, questions were answered, and more people now know what the arts-based not-for-profit has to offer youth in the community.