FLATIRON — It's barbecue time.
The 14th annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party is returning to Madison Square Park on June 11 and June 12 this weekend, bringing barbecue masters and meat lovers alike from across the country to feast on meat.
With plates at each tent going for $10 a pop, attendees can sample the creations of award-winning pitmasters from across the country, as well as hometown heroes including Hill Country, Red Hook's Hometown Bar-B-Que, and Blue Smoke, who will defend New York’s upstart barbecue reputation in the face of southern Barbecue Belt competition.
Revelers at last year’s event polished off 14,000 pounds of ribs, 7,500 pounds of pork, and 3,500 gallons of wine, according to organizers.
The party, which is a fundraiser for the Madison Square Park Conservancy, lasts both days from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the park, located at Madison Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets and along 26th Street.
The block party will feature musical performances near the Shake Shack in the southwest corner of the park from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. both days, including a set by former Yankee Bernie Williams and His All-Star Band.
Admission to the event is free, but a $125 “FastPass” gives ticket holders and a guest $100 worth of credit and access to express lines for the duration of the weekend. For a $275 VIP pass, ticket holders get express line access, $100 worth of food, drinks and merchandise, and entrance to a VIP area with an open bar throughout the weekend.
Tickets are available on the event’s website.
The Big Apple Barbecue has been controversial in past years, annoying some neighbors because of trash and smoke. In 2011 a group of organizers of ethnic parades criticized Community Board 5, which had okayed the use of the park for the barbecue but not for post-parade parties.
After some uncertainty about whether the event would continue to be held in Madison Square Park, Community Board 5 has continued to approve it each year, according to its records.
