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 & BBQ EXPERIENCEs

The ULTIMATE GRAND AM Package

Experience it all with the ULTIMATE GRAND AM PACKAGE!

• Admission to the Festival for the ENTIRE WEEKEND

• Premium Parking for the ENTIRE WEEKEND

• Reserved seat at Friday’s BBQ Bash

• Reserved seat at Saturday’s BBQ Bash

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.

BBQ Bash

Friday, May 1 — 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Saturday, May 2 — 6:00pm - 8:00pm

We’ve got the Que…..

All you can eat BBQ AND beverages included, as well as all-day admission to the Festival! Award winning Chicken, Pork, and Beef will be served with all the fix-ins, traditional BBQ sides and desert. Don’t forget to wash it all down with your favorite beverage, because it’s included!!

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.