Serving Up Flavor at the 2024 Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show

If you’ve ever been to the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show, you know it’s one of the biggest and best events of the year for anyone who loves home projects, outdoor living, and, of course, great food. In 2024, I again had the chance to set up shop right inside the Simply Decks and Stuff booth, and let me tell you—it was an absolute blast. Between talking all things backyard upgrades and serving up flavor with Smoked Q rubs and sauces, this year’s show was one for the books.

Bringing BBQ to the Home & Garden Show

Most people come to the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show thinking about landscaping, patio furniture, or new gadgets for the house. But you know me—I couldn’t resist bringing a little smoke, spice, and BBQ love to the party. My Smoked Q rubs and sauces were front and center, stacked up at the Simply Decks and Stuff booth, and the response was incredible. Folks walked by for decking ideas and walked away with bottles of sauce and bags of rub in their hands.

That’s what I call a win-win.

What made it so fun was getting to chat with people face-to-face about BBQ. Some were backyard pitmasters looking for their next go-to rub. Others were just dipping their toes into smoking and grilling. Either way, we swapped tips, shared stories, and of course, sampled some flavor. Nothing beats that instant reaction when someone tries one of our rubs for the first time and their eyes light up.

The Perfect Pairing: Simply Decks and Stuff + Smoked Q

You might be wondering—why set up in the Simply Decks and Stuff booth? Easy. These guys build backyard dreams. If you’re thinking about adding a new deck, pergola, or outdoor living space in Fort Wayne, they’re the team to call. And honestly, what pairs better with a brand-new deck than bold BBQ? Imagine grilling ribs on your Traeger, cold drink in hand, surrounded by friends, right on a deck designed by Simply Decks and Stuff. That’s the full backyard package right there.

Our partnership just made sense—while they talked decks, I talked brisket. While they showcased railing designs, I passed out rub samples. Together, we gave people a real taste of what their backyard could be all about: comfort, fun, and some seriously good food.

Smoked Q Rubs and Sauces Stealing the Show

I’ve gotta say—watching folks pick up a bottle of sauce or a bag of rub and instantly start planning their next cookout was the highlight of my weekend. Some were grabbing the Coffee Rub for brisket, others were snagging the Honey Chipotle for chicken, and more than a few stocked up on sauces to cover every BBQ craving.

For me, the Home & Garden Show wasn’t just about selling—it was about connecting with the Fort Wayne community. Seeing families come through, kids grabbing stickers, parents tasting samples, and everyone getting excited about BBQ reminded me why I love doing this. Smoked Q started with backyard passion, and events like this prove it’s something people connect with on every level.

Wrapping Up the 2024 Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show

All in all, the 2024 Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show was a huge success. Between the energy of the crowd, the great conversations, and sharing Smoked Q rubs and sauces with new faces, I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. Big shoutout to Simply Decks and Stuff for letting me crash their booth and add a little extra flavor to the show.

If you stopped by—thank you! If not, don’t worry, you can always grab our products online or catch us at the next event. Until then, keep that smoke rolling and those sauces flowing.