Massive $100K cook-off, music lineup, and family fun fire up Eisenhower Park this June
By Indigo James, Senior Correspondent
After a 14-year hiatus, the National BBQ Festival is making a smoky and triumphant return to the national stage—this time in suburban New York. From June 13 to 15, 2025, the aroma of slow-smoked meats will fill the air at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, Long Island, as the iconic culinary event sets up shop for the first time in the Northeast.
Originally hosted in Georgia between 2002 and 2011, the festival was known for bringing together top-tier pitmasters and barbecue lovers for a spirited showcase of Southern cooking traditions. Now reinvented for a new audience, the reimagined festival is expected to draw more than 35,000 attendees over three days in what organizers call the “ultimate BBQ experience.”
$100K Competition and Celebrity Flavor
Central to the weekend’s events is a high-stakes barbecue competition boasting a prize pool of $100,000—among the largest in the nation. Competitors from across the country will battle it out in categories including brisket, ribs, pork, chicken, and whole hog, judged by a panel of award-winning culinary experts.
Adding an urban twist, a Long Island-exclusive meatball cook-off will celebrate the region’s Italian-American culinary roots. Meanwhile, bartenders and mixologists will face off in a Long Island Iced Tea competition, showcasing creative spins on the iconic cocktail.
To top it all off, West Coast rap legend Warren G will perform live on the main stage and participate as a guest judge in the cook-off, bridging music and culinary culture in an electrifying crossover.
Tastes, Sips, and Sounds
Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to sample an unlimited array of BBQ styles—from Kansas City burnt ends and Texas brisket to Carolina pulled pork and Memphis dry rub ribs. More than 40 vendors, including local New York-based pitmasters, will showcase their smoked specialties.
A designated Craft Beer & Wine Pavilion will offer tastings from regional breweries and vineyards. One highlight includes a custom brew crafted exclusively for the festival by Oyster Bay Brewing Co., giving beer enthusiasts a unique souvenir to sip and savor.
Live music will play throughout the weekend across three stages, with performances ranging from country and folk to blues and hip-hop. Local bands and national acts are expected to draw large crowds, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
Fun for the Whole Family
Beyond food and drink, the festival emphasizes family-friendly programming. The Kids Zone will offer interactive cooking classes for children, inflatable games, a mini grilling competition, and arts and crafts stations.
Special programming for teens and young adults includes amateur BBQ bootcamps, where aspiring pitmasters can learn grilling techniques from seasoned chefs.
Food demonstrations, meet-and-greets with celebrity chefs, and cooking gear expos will round out the offerings, giving attendees of all ages something to explore.
A New Chapter for a Southern Classic
The original National BBQ Festival was born in Douglas, Georgia, becoming a beloved tradition in the Southeast. Its migration northward represents a broader evolution of America’s barbecue culture—once considered regional, now truly national in scope.
Bringing the event to Long Island allows organizers to reach a more diverse and expansive audience while leveraging the logistical advantages of suburban New York, including ample park space, public transit access, and nearby accommodations.
Local officials anticipate a major economic boost, with projections of over $5 million in local revenue from tourism, dining, and lodging across Nassau County.
Festival Details at a Glance
-
When: June 13–15, 2025
-
Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY
-
Tickets: Starting at $20/day; VIP and weekend packages available
-
Highlights: $100K BBQ competition, meatball and cocktail contests, live music from Warren G, unlimited tastings, Kids Zone
-
Parking/Access: On-site parking and LIRR shuttle service available
Looking to the Future
Festival organizers plan to make Long Island the permanent home of the National BBQ Festival moving forward, with new competitions, musical headliners, and vendor partnerships rotating each year.
Early ticket sales have exceeded expectations, especially for VIP experiences and tasting sessions, suggesting strong community support and interest.
As grills heat up and excitement mounts, the return of the National BBQ Festival signals not just a revival, but a reinvention—where Southern tradition meets Northeastern flair in a celebration of food, music, and family.
