FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 9, 2007

CONTACTS:
Dmitry Feld, ILBBQF Sponsorship/Marketing, dmitryf@ilbbqf.com, 518-523-2071, ext. 104
Jon Lundin, ILBBQF Communications Coordinator, jonl@ilbbqf.com, 518-891-8193

2nd Annual ILBBQF Field Already Filled
New York State Governor’s Office Declares ILBBQF State Championship

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Organizers of the June 30-July 1 second annual Lake Placid, NY—I Love Barbeque Festival (ILBBQF) announced today, Monday, April 9, that they have already filled the 30-team field. The field contains 20 new teams.
“I think that this event is well on its way to being recognized as one the premier barbeque festivals in the country,” noted festival chairperson Carole Zeske.  “To grow from 15 teams the first year to 30 the next is remarkable… and to have so many quality teams apart of this event is a testament to what this event has already become and what it will continue to become.”
The I Smell Smoke barbeque team from Fitzwilliam, N.H., will look to defend their ILBBQF grand championship crown against barbequers from Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Vermont.  One of the teams competing for the first time in Lake Placid is Cancer Sucks Chicago of Chicago, Ill., winners of the 18th annual Jack Daniels World Championships.  The team tours the country competing in various barbeque festivals to increase awareness and raise funds in support of research, treatment and the elimination of cancer and to provide support to organizations committed to enhancing the quality of life for those affected by cancer.  The team’s pit boss, Scott Johnson’s wife, Corliss, passed away from the disease in Feb. 2003.
The 30-team field will be competing for $7,500.00 in four categories of beef brisket, chicken, pulled pork and ribs, plus the title of grand champion and New York State champion. As a New York State champion, that team will earn an automatic bid into the Oct. 4-7 28thAnnual American Royal Barbecue Festival in Kansas City, Mo. After winning last year’s ILBBQF grand championship and New York State title, I Smell Smoke went on to compete in last year’s American Royal where they finished fourth in the “Open,” competing against more than 550 other barbeque squads.
The teams will also compete for $1,000.00 in Friday’s High Peaks Ford Midnight Grillin’ Bash.
“It’s exciting to have Governor Spitzer’s office declare our festival a state championship event,” said Zeske.  “I think that it continues to show how important this event is to the area, and by declaring it a state championship, we’ll continue to bring in the best teams year after year.”
Proceeds from the ILBBQF will once again benefit the Shipman Youth Center of Lake Placid, a not-for-profit community organization, which provides support to area youth, ages 10-18.  Gates open on the Olympic Speedskating Oval Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Sunday’s gates are slated to open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  General admission is just $5 and free for children under 12.  Last year’s ILBBQF raised in excess of $23,000.00 for the Shipman Youth Center.
The ILBBQF would like to extend its gratitude to its gold level sponsors including the Can-Am Hockey Group, Glazier Food Service Distributors, High Peaks Ford, the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and USA Luge. Official sponsors include Comfort Inn, Golden Arrow Resort, Ironman USA, Kelly Kennedy Graphics, Kilcoyne Farms, Lake Placid News, National Bank and Trust (NBT), Rock 105, and the Summit Resort. Friends of the ILBBQF include All Seasons Tents, Dr. Balestrini, Harlow Construction, Lions Club, Main St. Association, Bob and Laurie Pokelwaldt, Smokinlicious and John and Sandi Taylor.
For more information on the Lake Placid, NY—I Love Barbeque Festival, visit their  
website, www.ILBBQF.com.

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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.