ABOUT / Contest Listings

AS SEEN ON FOOD NETWORK’S “BBQ USA”

The Campground BBQ Series offers nationally sanctioned state BBQ championships scattered throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Because they are hosted at local campgrounds, these contests allow BBQ teams to compete with every advantage necessary, including electric, water, trash, bathrooms, hot showers and even sewage disposal. They also allow teams to wind down in private comfort to just enjoy the cooking process and time spent with friends and family. The winners of each contest qualify for national championships.

Campground BBQ includes primarily 4-meat Masters contests, but some weekends include a dedicated 2-meat Backyard contest for Chicken and Rib categories. We also allow first-time teams to enter just 1 or 2 categories to "get their feet wet." If you've been thinking about testing your mettle against other BBQ enthusiasts, you've got a diversity of options, and you'll learn a lot more about barbecue and grilling.

Many contest weekends include 1-meat contests for Chicken and Ribs, allowing teams to experiment a little while also increasing their national scores in that category.

These contests are primarily for teams only – there are no food vendors, music stage, kid’s activities or other “festival” events. BBQ teams are unable to sell or give away food to public attendees, per local health department regulations. Campers are welcome to interact with teams, but we strongly discourage people from interacting with teams between 10am-2pm, as this is when teams are most busy preparing their contest entries. Friends and family are welcome to visit but may need to pay a day fee to enter the private facility.

2027 CONTEST WEEKENDS

(KCBS posting imminent)

April 16-18: New Jersey KnoQ-out, Blairstown NJ – FRI 1-Meat Chicken & Ribs; SAT 4-Meat Masters + 2-Meat Backyard + Burnt Ends Ancillary + Rib Roulette; SAT & SUN 4-Meat Masters + 2-Meat Backyard — DEADLINE: April 9
NEW DATE!! April 30 - May 2: Southern New England BBQ Throwdown, Bristol CT — FRI 1-Meat Chicken & Ribs; SAT & SUN 4-Meat Masters + Pizza Ancillary — DEADLINE: April 23
NEW DATE!! May 22-23: Nor’Easter BBQ Showdown, Southwick MA — SAT 1-Meat Chicken & Ribs; SUN 4-Meat Masters — DEADLINE: April 30
NEW DATE!! June 5-6: Bristol BBQ Bash at Lake Compounce Amusement Park, Bristol CT [The Park will be open to teams with discounted tickets available.] — SAT 1-Meat Chicken & Ribs; SUN 4-Meat Masters — DEADLINE: May 14
NEW CONTEST!! June 12-13: NY AUTO — Smoke in the Woods with Tap New York Craft Brew Festival at Blackthorne Resort, East Durham NY [The Festival will be open to teams with discounted tickets available.] — FRI Craft Brew Pairing Dinner; SAT 1-Meat Chicken & Ribs; SUN 4-Meat Masters — DEADLINE: May 21
NEW DATE!! August 14-15: Green Mountain BBQ Championship, Braintree VT — SAT 1-Meat Chicken & Ribs; SUN 4-Meat Masters — DEADLINE: July 23
NEW DATE!! September 17-19: Grand American Barbecue World Championship, Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz NY – FRI 1-Meat Chicken & Ribs; SAT Masters Invitational + Made With Maple & Cocktails Ancillaries; SUN Masters NY State Championship Open + Ancillary TBA — DEADLINE: September 3 — Apply separately at www.GrandAmBBQ.com/teams
October 22-24: Red White & Que, West Creek NJ — FRI 1-Meat Chicken & Ribs; SAT 4-Meat Masters + 2-Meat Backyard + Seafood Ancillary + Rib Roulette; SAT & SUN 4-Meat Masters + 2-Meat Backyard — DEADLINE: October 1