Grand American BBQ World Championship

05/22/2026

We are so thankful to the Hudson Valley community for welcoming the Grand American Barbecue Festival with open arms! Despite nippy weather, more than 5,400 people attended the outdoor food festival held May 1-3 at Ulster County Fair in New Paltz. They got to taste lots of yummy barbecue, get pro tips from world champion barbecue teams, listen to awesome live local music, play in the kids’ zone, and visit dozens of amazing vendors.

This endeavor would have been impossible without the support and assistance of our sponsors:
• 101.5 WPDH and Townsquare Media
• Ulster County Tourism, NY
• Hudson Valley Sunrooms/Four Seasons Sunrooms
• Corey's Sugar Shack
• NY Animal Agriculture Coalition
• Real American Beer and Dutchess Beer Distributors
• Humphrey's BBQ

Thank you to Ulster County Fairgrounds and Highland, NY Rotary Club for helping us transition the community from the long-standing Hudson Valley Ribfest to the new Grand Am BBQ Festival.

Thank you to our Cooking Demo partners including Smoke'n Dudes BBQ Supply, Turkey Tom The Briner, NY Pork Producers, and Veterans Farmstead, as well as several competition barbecue teams.

Thank you to the 64 competition barbecue teams that came from as far as Alaska, Canada, the Midwest and Southeast to compete in the BBQ World Championship for a $60,000 purse and two opportunities to compete in the $1Million BBQ World Cup in 2027. Thank you also to our awesome judges for their time.

Congratulations to our new Invitational World Champion Chunky BBQ and Reserve Champion B's Que Crew, as well as our New York Champion Smokin' Hoggz BBQ and Reserve Champion Rough Cut Q.

Thank you again to everyone for welcoming the Grand Am into your community. We are already looking forward to 2027, where we’ll introduce a Rib Sampler VIP Package to try food from all the BBQ vendors, plus an exclusive opportunity to be an Honorary Team Member and help a competition team with their Sunday cook!! Stay tuned to www.GrandAmBBQ.com for 2027 dates and details, and follow us on Facebook.

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.

05/02/2026

5 - 700+ scores!
6 - 180 scores!
AND the $1 million qualifier to the BBQ World Cup

Congratulations to our newest World Champion………
Chunky BBQ - 706.8344

and to our Reserve Grand Champion……..
B’s Que - 705.0856

Now on to the open contest tomorrow with 65 teams.

05/02/2026

The World Champion will be crowned in 30 minutes!!!! Are as excited as us?

04/30/2026

Trophies are Here!!!!!!

Humphrey’s BBQ did an amazing job again this year!!!

Who will go home with the hardware? Find out this weekend!

www.GrandAmBBQ.com

04/30/2026

IT IS HERE!!
The Grand American Barbecue Festival is happening May 1–3, 2026 at the Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz, NY. Enjoy 3 days of world class BBQ, live music, vendors, and competition.
Save $5 online for Single and Multi-Day Admission Sponsored by ROCK 101.5
CODE: WPDH
• FREE PARKING
• $10 ENTRY FOR AGE 13+
• WORLD-CLASS BBQ TO PURCHASE
• LIVE MUSIC & KIDS ACTIVITIES
• BBQ DEMONSTRATIONS
• MEAT & GREET BBQ TEAMS

Tickets & information at GrandAmBBQ.com

04/28/2026

Days Away!!!!!!
The Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz, NY is hosting World-class flavor at the Grand Am BBQ Festival this May 1–3, 2026!!!!
Get 2-for-1 tickets online with discount code WPDH – that’s 50% off each ticket.
• BBQ from Award Winning local & national vendors available for purchase.
• Pitmaster Showdown: Meet elite pitmasters from across the globe as they battle it out for the title of World BBQ Champion!
• BBQ Masterclass: Sharpen your grilling skills with pro cooking demos and limited sampling of award-winning BBQ.
• Festival Fun: Enjoy 3 days of live music, a massive vendor village, and a dedicated kids' activity area.
Plan Your Visit:
• Location: 249 Libertyville Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561.
• Admission: Single and multi-day tickets are available. Children 12 and under enter for free.
• Parking: Free parking is available, or purchase a Premium Parking Pass to be right on the festival grounds.
Festival Hours:
• Fri, May 1: 5 PM – 8 PM
• Sat, May 2: 11 AM – 8 PM
• Sun, May 3: 11 AM – 5 PM
Tickets & Info: Visit www.grandambbq.com for full details.

04/26/2026

NEXT WEEKEND!
The Grand American Barbecue World Championship brings RIBFEST back to New Paltz this May 1–3!
Buy Online & Save: Use code WPDH for 2-for-1 tickets—that’s 50% off!
Don’t miss your chance to experience:
• BBQ from Award Winning local & national vendors available for purchase.
• Meet legendary global pitmasters.
• Pro cooking demos & tasty samples.
• 3 days of live music & vendor village.
• Dedicated kids’ activity area (Kids 12 & under are FREE!)

Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz
May 1–3, 2026
Free Parking (Premium passes available!)
HOURS:
Fri: 5–8PM
Sat: 11AM–8PM
Sun: 11AM–5PM
Secure your 2-for-1 tickets today!
Tickets will be available onsite.

04/24/2026

RIB FEST IS BACK!
The only BBQ World Championship on the East Coast is returning to New Paltz this May 1–3! Don't miss your chance to see the world's best pitmasters battle it out at the Grand American Barbecue Festival.
BOGO ALERT: Use code WPDH for 2-for-1 tickets—that’s 50% off!
The Highlights:
• BBQ from Award Winning local & national vendors available for purchase.
• Meet legendary global pitmasters.
• Pro cooking demos & tasty samples.
• 3 days of live music & vendor village.
• Dedicated kids’ activity area (Kids 12 & under are FREE!)

Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz
May 1–3, 2026
Free Parking (Premium passes available!)
HOURS:
Fri: 5–8PM
Sat: 11AM–8PM
Sun: 11AM–5PM
Secure your 2-for-1 tickets today!

04/21/2026

Award Winning BBQ is Back!!!!
The Grand American Barbecue Festival returns to New Paltz this May 1–3, and we’ve got a massive deal to get you there.
BOGO SPECIAL: Use code WPDH at checkout for 2-for-1 tickets! That’s 50% off each ticket.

Why you can't miss it:
• BBQ from Award Winning local & national vendors available for purchase.
• World-Class BBQ: Meet legendary pitmasters from around the globe competing for the World Champion title.
• Eat & Learn: Sharpen your skills with pro cooking demos and limited sampling.
• Family Fun: 3 days of live music, a massive vendor village, and a dedicated kids' activity area!
Where: Ulster County Fairgrounds | 249 Libertyville Rd, New Paltz, NY
When: May 1–3, 2026
Kids 12 & under are FREE!
Parking: Free general parking or grab a Premium Pass to park right on the grounds.
HOURS:
• Fri: 5PM – 8PM
• Sat: 11AM – 8PM
• Sun: 11AM – 5PM
Grab your 2-for-1 tickets now!

04/15/2026

World-class flavor returns to the Grand Am BBQ Festival this May 1–3, 2026, at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz, NY!
Get 2-for-1 tickets with discount code WPDH – that’s 50% off each ticket.
• BBQ from Award Winning local & national vendors available for purchase.
• Pitmaster Showdown: Meet elite pitmasters from across the globe as they battle it out for the title of World BBQ Champion!
• BBQ Masterclass: Sharpen your grilling skills with pro cooking demos and limited sampling of award-winning BBQ.
• Festival Fun: Enjoy 3 days of live music, a massive vendor village, and a dedicated kids' activity area.
Plan Your Visit:
• Location: 249 Libertyville Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561.
• Admission: Single and multi-day tickets are available. Children 12 and under enter for free.
• Parking: Free parking is available, or purchase a Premium Parking Pass to be right on the festival grounds.
Festival Hours:
• Fri, May 1: 5 PM – 8 PM
• Sat, May 2: 11 AM – 8 PM
• Sun, May 3: 11 AM – 5 PM
Tickets & Info: Visit www.grandambbq.com for full details.