Saturday, April 26, 2025
Barbecue lovers are in for a treat this spring when the National BBQ Festival comes to Eisenhower Park for the first time ever, bringing top pitmasters, sizzling flavors and a weekend of family-friendly fun to Nassau County.
Originally held in Georgia from 2002 to 2011, the festival is making a highly anticipated return. This year’s event will take place from June 13 to 15, feature two full days of competition with a $100,000 prize pool at stake — one of the largest in the country and the biggest in the northeast — and attract top barbecue masters from around the world. Beyond the competition, festival-goers can expect three days filled with all-you-can-eat barbecue food, live music, family-friendly activities and more.
The event’s scheduling was made possible by Nassau County Tourism & Promotions’ agency, RRDA, a full-service content and marketing group.
“Bringing the National BBQ Festival to Nassau County is more than just an event —it’s a celebration of great food, great music, and this incredible community,” Jaime Hollander, RRDA’s managing director, said in a news release. “As locals, we take immense pride in showcasing the best of Nassau County alongside the country’s top pitmasters, competitive BBQ teams, and brands. This will be an unforgettable weekend, and we can’t wait to welcome BBQ lovers, competitors, and festival-goers.”
Barbecue teams will put their skills to the test at the festival, with competitions heating up over two days. On June 13, chefs will battle for the best wings, steak, meatballs and even Long Island iced teas. The stakes get even higher on June 14, as the focus shifts to whole hog, brisket, ribs, pork and chicken, with top pitmasters vying for barbecue supremacy.
“Most people are probably not part of a competitive barbecue team, and that’s OK,” Kristin Stucchio-Suarez, program director of the RRDA, said at a Mineola news conference announcing the event. “The festival is going to be a great opportunity for families to come out that weekend. If you’re just a backyard barbecuer or just love good food, we welcome you that weekend to just have a lot of fun.”
In addition to mouthwatering barbecue, festival-goers can enjoy a beer garden and wine pavilion, as well as a marketplace offering a variety of meat rubs, sauces and other culinary delights.
Local chefs, including Kenny Ware of Backyard Barbecue in Freeport, are gearing up for the festival with excitement. Ware, who will lead Nassau County’s barbecue team in the competition, gave attendees at a recent news conference in Mineola a taste of what’s to come with a flavorful sampling of his signature dishes.
“Being a barbecue person myself, and going to big festivals, I always thought, ‘I wonder if this could come to Long Island,’” he said. “Well, here we have it. I’ve been working with Nassau County a long time, and they’ve been highlighting a lot of restaurants in Nassau County and Long Island. Now is our chance to show the world how we really do in Nassau County.”
Stucchio-Suarez expressed gratitude to the Nassau County Health Department, Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and Nassau County Police Department for their collaboration with the RRDA in ensuring the upcoming event runs safely and smoothly.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the National BBQ Festival to Eisenhower Park, bringing this iconic event to Nassau County for the first time,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a release. “This festival not only celebrates the best in BBQ but also shines a spotlight on everything that makes Nassau County a premier destination, from our scenic parks and beaches to our world-class restaurants, hotels, and vibrant history. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country to experience all that our community has to offer.”
Tickets are available for purchase at NationalBBQFest.
