LOCATION

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

Schedule

Friday, September 17: 4:00pm – 7:00pm

Saturday, September 18: 11:00am – 7:00pm

Sunday, September 19: 11:00am – 5:00pm

This is a RAIN or SHINE event

VIP EXPERIENCEs

ULTIMATE BBQ EXPERIENCE — $60 ONLINE / $70 ON-SITE

INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

Good for Friday, Saturday or Sunday

Festival Entry [$10 value]

Rib Sampler Package [$55 value] — Sample (2) ribs from (5) BBQ vendors (10 ribs total) — Vote on your favorite!!

(2) Beverage Tickets — beer, hard seltzer, wine, soda, water [$15 value]

People’s Choice Chicken Challenge — $50 ONLINE / $60 ON-SITE (If Available)

THIS UNIQUE JUDGING EXPERIENCE IS LIMITED TO 100 PEOPLE!!

Saturday: 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Sample and judge (2) rounds of chicken wings from (10) BBQ teams each round (20 wings total) — Vote on your favorite!!

Also includes Festival Entry [$10 value] PLUS (2) Beverage Tickets — beer, hard seltzer, wine, soda, water [$15 value]

HONORARY bbq TEAM MEMBER — $150 FOR 1 PERSON / $250 FOR 2

THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE WILL MAKE YOU PART OF A CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ TEAM FOR A DAY!!

Sunday: 4:00am - 5:00pm

Get a first-hand look at what it takes to produce championship barbecue by joining a select team at 4:00am Sunday morning and supporting them as they prepare their contest entries. Tasks may include mixing and tasting ingredients, cutting, cleaning, lifting boxes/meat/supplies, fire management, changing the music, and even running boxes to the turn-in location. Afterward, stick around and walk with your team if they get a call from the Main Stage.

Also includes Festival Entry [$10 value] PLUS Team Lanyard PLUS (2) Beverage Tickets — beer, hard seltzer, wine, soda, water [$15 value]

Rib Sampling

Rib Sampler PACKAGE — $45 online / $55 on-site

This is the ONLY way to try rib samples from all the BBQ Vendors to see who’s the best!! Sample (2) ribs from (5) BBQ vendors (10 ribs total). Packages are limited for each day and may be sold out on-site.

EXCLUSIVE Rib Sampler line at each BBQ vendor

Vote on your favorite!!

mini Sampler PACKAGE — $20 online / $25 on-site

This smaller package allows you to sample (2) ribs from (2) BBQ vendors (4 ribs total). Packages are limited for each day and may be sold out on-site.

EXCLUSIVE Rib Sampler line at each BBQ vendor

Vote on your favorite!!

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, 2025, and July 31, 2027.

• Scored 700+ in any KCBS contest held between April 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.

• 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: August 15, 2027

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.