FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2006 

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

Grand Champion Barbeque Squad Joins Lake Placid BBQ Fest
ILBBQF Signs Additional Sponsors and Supporters

LAKE PLACID , N.Y. – The list of teams scheduled to compete in the July 3 and 4 Lake Placid , NY —I Love Barbeque Festival (ILBBQF) continues to grow with the addition of the Purple Turtle Catering Company ( Norwalk , Conn. ). The Purple Turtle Catering Company recently competed in Brooklyn , N.Y. where they won the Grillin' on the Bay grand championship title.

The four-person team has won several grand championship crowns, including the 2004 Connecticut State Championship, and Reserve Championships titles. Two years ago, it took first place in the chicken category of the Jack Daniels World Barbeque Championships, becoming the first-ever New England team to take that title.

The Purple Turtle Catering Company joins the Lost Nation Smoke Company (Essex Junction, Vt. ) and Lunchmeat ( Rockland , Mass. ) as teams already signed up for the two-day barbeque festival.

The ILBBQF is expected 25 barbeque teams, nationwide, to compete for $7,500.00 in prize money in four different categories of beef brisket, chicken, pulled pork and pork ribs. In addition to the prize money, the squads will also be competing for the title of festival grand champion, and who will be eligible to participate in the American Royal and Kansas City Barbecue national championship, held every year in Kansas City , Mo. This team, along with three additional New York state teams, could also qualify for the Jack Daniels World Barbeque Championships.

In other news, the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) has signed on as a “gold level” sponsor, while Ironman North America, the Lake Placid Summit Hotel and Suits, the Lake Placid Main Street Association and the Lake Placid Hilton Resort have committed to be “sponsors” of the event.

“The barbeque festival benefiting the Shipman Youth Center is a winner for everyone involved. With the organizational team that has been put together for the event, we know the effort will come from the heart and will be a big success,” noted Ted Blazer, ORDA president and CEO. “We are happy to assist with staging and tents and whatever else we can contribute to a cause that benefits our community's youth and keeps the legacy of Tom Shipman alive.”

Proceeds from the Lake Placid , NY – I Love Barbeque Festival will benefit the Shipman Youth Center of Lake Placid, a not-for-profit community organization, which provides support to area youth, ages 10-18.  The Lake Placid , NY—I Love Barbeque Festival will be held on the Olympic Speedskating Oval. Admission is $5 and free for children under 12. Gates will open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 3 and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 4.

ILBBQF would like to extend its gratitude to its gold level sponsors including the Can-Am Hockey Group and Empire State Coca-Cola of Northern New England .  Sponsors include Bill McBride Subaru, Cherrie Sayles Real Estate, Comfort Inn, Ironman North America, Lake and Mountain Properties, Lake Placid Hilton Resort, Lake Placid Main Street Association, Lake Placid Summit Hotel and Suites, Kelly Ken nedy Graphics, ROCK 105, the Tri-Lake Federal Credit Union and Upstate Auto Chrysler-Dodge.  Additional supporters include Boyer's Adk. Septic Service, National Bank and Trust (NBT), Lake Placid Horse Show Association, Best Western Golden Arrow Hotel, Dr. Balestrini, Vulcan Lead, the UPS Store, Marriot Corp., Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, iTOURis, The White Face Lodge, Mirror Lake Inn, Harlow Excavation and Construction, USA Luge, Lake Placid Central School District Superintendent Dr. Ernie Stretton, Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, Village of Lake Placid   and the Town of North Elba.  We look forward to inviting all Tri-Lakes businesses to become sponsors of ILBBQF.

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

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