This weekend is one of our biggest events here in Downtown Troy -Now in it’s second year, the festival is bigger and better than last year, with three times as many BBQ vendors, twice as many BBQ teams competing for the NY State BBQ Championship, lots of free live music, chef demonstrations, things for the kids and fireworks on Saturday night.

The event takes place in River Front Park from 11am - 10pm on Saturday and 11am - 4pm on Sunday. Lots of great BBQ will be for sale throughout the festival, with the $1 per rib ‘People’s Choice Competition’ kicking off at 5:30pm on Saturday. Tickets go on sale at 4pm for the People’s Choice ($1 each ticket = 1 rib, buy as many as you like) and 9,000 ribs will be ready for tasting from our BBQ competitors at 5:30. Proceeds from this portion of the event benefit the National Kidney Foundation. I highly recommend coming right at 4pm to buy your tickets if you want to participate in the ‘People’s Choice’ - hang around and listen to some music before this portion of the event actually begins at 5:30.

Here is the full schedule of events (I’m sorry for the terrible formatting of the schedule!!):

Saturday, July 19th: 11:00am - 10:00pm Official Festival Hours FREE ADMISSION

11:00 - 12:00 Music: Tom Casey Band

11:30 - 12:15 Chef Demo: John Vasquez, Tosca, Executive Pastry Chef

12:30 - 1:30 Music: The Bent Rail Blues Band

12:45 - 1:30 Chef Demo: Mark Yanni, Tanni’s Too

2:00pm - 3:30pm Music: Ernie Williams and the Wildcats

4:00pm - 5:00pm Music: Scott Shipley

4:00pm Rib ticket sales begin

5:30pm People Choice Rib Contest Begins

5:30pm - 7:00pm Music: The McKrells

7:30pm - 9:00pm Music: Ice Wagon Flu

9:00pm People’s Choice Awards Presentation

9:30pm Fireworks

Sunday, July 19th: 11:00am-4:00pm Official Festival Hours FREE ADMISSION

11:00am - 4:00pm Live music, chef demonstrations, free children’s activities

11:15 am - 12:00pm Music: Renee Lussier & Branchwater

Chef Demo:Larry Schepic, Tosca

12:00pm Official start of the KCBS NYS BBQ Championship

Chicken turn-in

12:15 - 1:00 Chef Demo: Jackie Baldwin, RPI

12:30pm Pork Ribs turn-in

12:30- 1:10 pm Music: Simple Theory

1:00pm Pork Butt/Shoulder turn-in

1:30pm Beef Brisket turn-in

1:30pm - 2:10pm Music:Julia Ilowiecki

Chef Demo: Noah Sheetz, Governor’s Mansion

2:30pm - 3:10pm Music: Prolonged Exposure

3:40pm - 4:30pm Music: Foy Brothers

4:00pm Awards presentation

See you in Troy this weekend!!