LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Once again the nation's top barbeque masters will be returning to Lake Placid, N.Y., when the Olympic village plays host to the fifth annual Lake Placid - I Love Barbeque Festival (ILBBQF). An expected 40 teams will be competing July 2-4 on the Olympic Speedskating Oval.

"Last year's event brought 35 Kansas City Barbecue Society and four Junior World BBQ Championships teams to Lake Placid and we expect to grow again this year," said ILBBQF and ILBJWC director of operations, Dmitry Feld. "In addition to the larger of number teams in 2010, there will also be several new additions to this summer's event, including the New England Barbecue Society-approved new version of the very popular High Peaks Ford 'Midnight Grillin' Bash'; a people's choice award, "The Best Ribs in the East" in memory of Mike Grudzinskas, a member of the I Smell Smoke team who passed away suddenly last year; and the second annual I Love Barbecue Junior World Championships (ILBJWC). With the addition of a youth division (ages 12-15), we are expecting more teams to come to Lake Placid."

Among the 35 teams expected to compete during the three-day festival is the 2006 and 2009 ILBBQF grand champion, I Smell Smoke, from Fitzwilliam, N.H. "Winning the ILBBQ competition again was one of the highlights of my competition experience last year," remarked pit boss, Steve Farrin. "The staff was wonderful and the location made me feel like an Olympic champion. I can't wait to return and defend my title."

Farrin and his I Smell Smoke team were second in the Kansas City Barbecue Society team-of-the-year ranking.

More than 7,000 people attended last summer's ILBBQF; in excess of $15,000 was raised for the Shipman Youth Center of Lake Placid, a not-for-profit community organization, which provides support to area youth, ages 10-18. Last year rainy weather kept some spectators away but didn't stop the world's best Zydeco musician, C.J. Chenier & Red Hot Louisiana Band, from performing at the event. "I can't wait to come back and perform again in 2010," said Chenier. "The people, the food, the Olympic village of Lake Placid and, of course, the hospitality of the ILBBQF organizers make this event very special."

The $1,000 High Peaks Ford Midnight Grillin' Bash kicks off the three-day festival Friday night July 2. The following day, youth and junior teams will square off for the title of the I Love Barbecue Junior World Champion, followed by the People's Choice Award competition (the Best Ribs in the East). The event concludes Sunday, July 4, when the top barbeque teams from around the country and Canada compete for $7,500 and the title of ILBBQF Grand Champion and New York State Champion in the sanctioned Kansas City Barbeque Society contest. The teams will compete in the four categories of chicken, pork ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket.

The fifth annual ILBBQF will also feature food demonstrations with area chefs and barbeque pit masters, music, celebrity appearances and children's rides and games. General admission tickets are $6 for adults, while children 12 and under will be admitted free.

For more information on the Lake Placid, NY - I Love Barbeque Festival, visit www.ILBBQF.com.

###

Thomas Shipman, a Lake Placid police officer whose life was cut short in 1999, inspired the center, which the festival will benefit. For the past seven years, the Shipman Youth Center has provided a supervised safe and exciting environment and programs where local children can grow and develop as individuals.