The 14th annual I Love Barbecue & Music Festival returns to Lake Placid July 5-7, benefiting Shipman Youth Center
2019 edition to feature great eats, competitions, live music, return of Krusher Stunt Team, and debut of Strongman Invitational with exhibition by world’s second ranked Strongman
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - The home of the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games has also become known for hosting great barbecue fare each summer in Lake Placid, all done in the name of charity. The event takes place on Lake Placid’s Olympic Speed Skating Oval, where Eric Heiden devoured the competition en route to an unprecedented five Olympic gold medals.
Organized by USA Luge as a means of giving back to its community, the I Love BBQ and Music Festival (ILBBQF), from July 5-7, will provide needed funding for the nearby Shipman Youth Center (SYC, www.shipmanyouthcenter.org).
Now in its 14th year, the ILBBQF is hosting an international and national level barbecue and grilling competition. The competition is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS), the world’s largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts.
The weekend event (www.ilbbqf.org) will also include music, children’s activities, arts and crafts, vendor exposition, food demonstrations, food tasting, Strongman Invitational, Krusher Stunt Team Free Style BMX bike show and celebrity appearances.
Festival patrons will be entertained by a steady lineup of regional music talent, performing live over the weekend under a large tent. Grab a table and enjoy a plate of food from one of the vendors while listening to the entertainment. The schedule will be announced at a later date.
“We are expecting 40 professional barbecue teams from around the country and abroad to attend,” said Dmitry Feld, USA Luge Marketing Manager and organizer of the ILBBQF.
“On July 6, the ninth annual I Love Barbecue Youth World Championship will be held. Competitors ages 12-17 will square off for the title of the Youth World Barbecue Champion. The next day, teams will compete to win the title of the Grand Champion of The Lake Placid I Love Barbecue Festival.”
The Best Ribs in the East, set for Saturday from 1-3 PM, will allow festival-goes to sample the various barbecue foods of the competitive teams for $2 per rib, with funds benefiting the SYC. The public will also decide which team has the best ribs in the east.
The Krusher Stunt Team, from Montreal, will return to perform their hair-raising and sometimes death-defying tricks.
The first Strongman Invitational comes to the ILBBQF on Saturday, June 6, from 11 AM- 4:30 PM. Rob Kearney, the world’s second ranked Strongman, will be a celebrity judge of the event. However, Kearney will perform a Strongman exhibition on a day and time to be determined.