Summer is about outdoor fun and the Hudson Valley RibFest is about the fun of barbequing!
Staff | August 17, 2011 | CommentThe Best BBQ in New York!
ULSTER COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS in New Paltz, NY 12561
On August 20 and August 21, 2011, the Hudson Valley RibFest, organized by the Highland Rotary Club, is THE place to be for lovers of finger-licking good food in the Northeast. The two-day Hudson Valley RibFest is actually two events in one – a food festival and a sanctioned Barbeque Contest where winners can advance to the national finals in Kansas City!
Barbeque teams and food aficionados who come to the event marvel at the convenient location. The Ulster County Fairgrounds, in New Paltz, New York (only 70 miles north of New York City), offer plenty of room for competing teams, their cookers and all who visit the event. The setting is park-like, with a close –up view of the towering Shawangunk Mountains, the Northeast’s premier destination for rock climbers and hikers. The Highland Rotary Club, supported by an army of over 300 volunteers from local groups, goes out of its way to make folks feel at home, while keeping activities humming for the thousands of visitors who come to the two-day shindig for music, games and good eating.
Barbeque is growing in New York. The proof is in the numbers. More teams are competing, and festival attendance grows every year. Last year 70 barbeque teams fired up their cookers. The Ribfest goal this year is for 75 teams to pit their barbeque skills against some sharp competition for bragging rights and a portion of the $11,000 in prize money. Seventy-five teams will mean more points for our big winners and more excitement for our contest teams.
The New England Barbecue Society grilling contest will be held on Saturday, August 20 that will include an “Apple Dessert” entry. The Hudson Valley’s premier agricultural product is apples, and our teams will have a chance to show what they can do with apples. Hudson Valley apples must be part of the dessert entry, not merely a garnish. Then, on Sunday, August 21, there will be the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) competition.
The Hudson Valley RibFest is part of the Empire State BBQ Championship challenge. Twelve barbeque events in New York State are working together to promote great barbeque in New York. For additional details see visit www. empirestatebbqchampionship.com.
There’s not too much time left for contest teams to join the 2011 Hudson Valley Ribfest. Go to our website www.hudsonvalleyribfest.org and download information and an application form. If you need further help, call our info line: 845.306.4381.
If you love BBQ ribs and chicken, you are going to love the Hudson Valley RibFest.
The food festival portion is a family event featuring food and beverages for purchase from independent vendors that include roasted sweet corn, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, fried pickles, smoothies, lemonade, jerk shrimp and fish, soft pretzels, gourmet nuts, fudge and candy to mention a few of the possibilities. The contest portion features over 70 teams competing for cash prizes and the title of “Grand Champion” of the Hudson Valley Rib Festival. Entertainment includes activities for the entire family including an outstanding cooking demonstrations lineup, live music featuring Hot Rod Band Saturday Afternoon playing classic rock and Exit 19 playing Funk and R&B Saturday Night, plus a children’s area with inflatable bouncing houses, climbing wall and kid’s country games.