LOCATION

Ulster County Fairgrounds, 249 Libertyville Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561

Schedule

Friday, May 1: 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Saturday, May 2: 11:00am – 8:00pm

Sunday, May 3: 11:00am – 5:00pm

BBQ Contest Awards at 4:30pm Each Day

This is a RAIN or SHINE event

VIP EXPERIENCEs

Premium Parking — Friday, Saturday, or Sunday

Premium Parking includes (1) on-site parking space for either Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Off-site parking is approximately a 5-minute walk to the Festival grounds.

MerchANDISE

Get your official Grand Am merchandise only available online.

for teams

SANCTIONING BODY: Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS)

ELIGIBILITY:

1)      Saturday World Championship Invitational – Limited to the following and teams must also compete in the Sunday Open Competition:

• Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion of any sanctioned qualifier 3-Meat or 4-Meat contest held between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2026.

• Scored 700+ in any KCBS contest held between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2026.

• Current / former Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion or 1st Place Meat Category winner from any of the following World Championship events: The Jack, American Royal, Memphis In May, Houston Rodeo, KCBS Invitational, and The Grand Am.

2)      Sunday New York State Championship Open – Open to any 4-meat team.

3)      ** Wild Card Entry – A maximum (5) teams will be selected by random draw to participate in the Saturday Invitational.

Registration Deadline: April 24, 2026

for judges

Judging opportunities are open on a first-come basis to KCBS-certified judges. Judges may be asked to assist in all aspects of the weekend competitions, including seated at a table and scoring the meats; being a Table Captain; volunteering to work the Turn-In-Table, Number Changing area and/or Leftover area; assisting a team as a runner; acting as a team liaison for the VIP Pit Pass on Saturday; and acting as a Table Captain for honorary VIP judges on Sunday.