Friday, March 21, 2025
Barbecue lovers are in for a treat as the National BBQ Festival comes to Eisenhower Park this spring 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 June 15 at Eisenhower Park, and feature two full days of competition with a $100,000 prize pool — one of the largest in the country and the biggest in the northeast — and draw in 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 agency.
“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 shared with the Herald. “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.”
At a Mineola news conference announcing the event on March 3, Kristen Stucchio-Suarez, program director of the RRDA said on June 13, barbecuing teams can compete to see who makes the best wings, steak, meatballs, and Long Island Iced Teas. On June 14, the competition will revolve around the best whole hog, brisket, ribs, pork and chicken.
“Most people are probably not part of a competitive barbecue team, and that’s OK,” she said, “because 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.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome the National BBQ Festival to Eisenhower Park, bringing this iconic event to Nassau County for the first time,” County Exeuctive Bruce Blakeman said in a release about the festival. “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.com. There, those interested in going — or competing — can learn more about the upcoming festival.
