I Love Barbecue and Music Festival — Day Two

Lake Placid is the place to be Labor Day Weekend for great music and championship-level BBQ.

Photo courtesy I Love Barbecue Festival

On Labor Day weekend, residents and visitors alike would be wise to drive slowly past the North Elba Show Grounds in Lake Placid with their windows open. Following the delicious aroma will be the best way to find the annual I Love BBQ and Music Festival, slated for September 1 to 3, 2023.

Now in its 17th year, the event benefits children’s programs at the Shipman Youth Center in Lake Placid. USA Luge organizes the three-day festival to give back to the community that has been the Winter Olympic Federation’s home for 45 years.

The Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctions Lake Placid’s event. “We’re expecting a fun weekend for this year’s festival,” said Dmitry Feld, USA Luge marketing manager, President of the Shipman Youth Center, and festival organizer. While Feld noted that the teams are eager to return to the festival, “Our fans who come through the gates each day are the backbone of our success.
We look forward to seeing many familiar faces over the holiday weekend.” 

On Day Two, September 2, the gates open at 11:30 AM and close at 8:30 PM. The cost per person is $6; Lil’ ADKers under 10 get in for free. Day Two events include:

• Live music and bands all-day

• The Best Ribs in the East/Buck a Rib competition and tasting - Pay $1, get one rib (public tasting event – ribs prepared by competitive teams)

•  Top Chef demonstration - Pit Master Cole Kowalski (Risk it for the Brisket)

• BBQ Teams competition — Quinn Family Barbecue and Hot Sauce Competition, Best Ribs and Kids in the Kitchen

• Freestyle BMX bikes Krusher stunt team performance

• All-day children’s fun inflatables attractions, food, beverages available to purchase, and other vendors.

• Professional wrestling presented by Performance Arts Connection and more. 

Over the past 16 years, the I Love BBQ and Music Festival has raised nearly $350,000 for the Shipman Youth Center. It is the center’s most significant fundraiser each year. 

In addition to the festivities, a limited number of raffle tickets, 300 in total, will be sold. The winner will go home with a first prize of $10,000. A total of 15 cash prizes are part of this raffle. Tickets may be purchased online.

 You can visit the I Love BBQ Festival website for a complete daily schedule of the festival. The action continues on Sunday, September 3.