The Grand American Barbecue World Championship (the Grand Am) is a free 2-day BBQ festival featuring great BBQ, live music, beer, and all things BBQ! Besides the BBQ festival, the Grand Am consists of Invitational and Open BBQ competitions that will include world-class BBQ teams from across the United States, as well as international champions.
ABOUT the festival
FESTIVAL DATES & HOURS
August 2-3, 2025
Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Free entry does not include $15 parking fee per vehicle
LOCATION: New Century Film, 517 Neversink Dr, Port Jervis, NY 12771
PARKING: $15 per day per vehicle
VIP OPPORTUNITIES: Click Here to Purchase
VIP ENTRY — Saturday, August 2 or Sunday, August 3 — $30 per vehicle — The VIP Entry is meant for one vehicle and includes (1) on-site parking space and (2) “FastPass” lanyards to be used at both Beer Tent and BBQ Vendor FastPass Lanes. With some lines stretching 30-40 minutes, you’ll be glad you can just walk up and order! Off-site parking is approximately a 5-minute walk to the Festival grounds.
BBQ PIT CREW PASS — Saturday, August 2 — 2:30pm - 4:00pm — Individual Pass: $60 each // Group of 6: $300 — Here is your opportunity to discuss all things BBQ with a true Champion! The BBQ Pit Crew Pass brings you behind the scenes and into the magic. Groups up to 6 will be escorted to the pit of a competing Championship team after their last turn-in to discuss how their cook went, the smokers they operate, what types of rubs, injections and sauces they use…. and you’ll also get to sample some Championship barbecue!!
Honorary BBQ Judge — Sunday, August 3 — 11:30am - 2:00pm — Fee: $75 each // Table of 5: $300 — Want to know what it’s like to be a BBQ judge? The Honorary BBQ Judge Experience immerses you in the competition. You will be guided through the entire 4-meat competition (chicken, pork ribs, pork, beef brisket) by a Certified KCBS Judge — eating, comparing, and discussing entries as official judges do. Go easy on breakfast because you’ll easily sample more than a pound of barbecue, and take more home with you!!
PORTALETS: Portalets will be located on festival grounds
WHERE TO STAY: Lodging and Camping suggestions can be found here: Where to stay
YOU CAN BRING
(1) Bottle of water in a sealed, unopened container
Small handheld bag — no backpacks!! — which may be searched upon entry
Collapsible chairs
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Firearms, explosives, and weapons of any kind (including guns, pocket knives, pepper spray, fireworks, laser pointers, etc.)
No Cigarettes, E-Cigs or Vaping devices
Pets
Illegal and Illicit substances of any kind
Drugs or drug paraphernalia
Outside food or beverage (including alcohol of any kind) — please notify us upon entry of any dietary requirements for children or others that might require food to be brought in
Coolers of any kind
Drones or any other remote flying device
Glass Containers
Framed backpacks
Totems, Flags, Banners
Professional-grade radios or walkie-talkies
Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts (including red wagons) or any personal motorized vehicles
Tents, canopies, or shade structures of any kind
No Inflatable furniture (rafts, chairs, etc.)
Regular fold-up lawn chairs
Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors are not allowed. No unauthorized solicitation and materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, giveaways, samples, etc.
SECURITY & ENTRY
For the safety of everyone entering the festival, all patrons are subject to a full and complete search prior to entry. This may include a full body pat-down and magnetometer screening. If you would like to be screened by security personnel of your same gender, please let security personnel know prior to the search process. Screening of children will always take place with the consent of a parent or guardian.
Please review the Prohibited items list for a stress-free entry process.
By arriving at the event, you agree to allow all bags to be searched before entry.
Persons that refuse to comply with the search policy will be refused entry into the event.
At any time during the entry process if you have questions, ask for assistance from Festival Staff located at the front gates.
SAFETY
We make every effort to create a safe environment on the festival grounds, including public and private security and medical staff. If you need any assistance, seek out the medical tent, or look for a police officer or festival staff member.
If you appear intoxicated (and it’s our call), you may be refused entry, refused additional beer purchases, or asked to vacate the festival grounds. We recommend having a Designated Driver to ensure a safe departure.
LEGAL
Entry is for festival, not for a specific artist, vendor, or competitor. Artists and schedule subject to change without notice. “Management” means Great Events USA LLC., New Century Enterprises, and their affiliates. Management reserves the right to refuse admission or to eject any person who fails to comply with the rules of the venue, local, state or federal law or whose conduct is deemed illegal, disorderly, or offensive by Management. Persons entering the facility are subject to search for contraband. Festival attendees bear all risks of personal injury incidental to the event, whether occurring before, during or after the event. Festival attendees bear all risks, including cancellation of the event and of inclement weather. The resale or attempted resale of VIP offers is prohibited and if discovered will result in the VIP offer being voided without refund. The ticket may not be used for advertising promotion (including contests and sweepstakes), or other trade purposes without the express written consent of Management. Festival attendees consent to Management’s use of their image or likeness incidental to any video display, transmission, or recording of the event.
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