Tickets Go on Sale for 2013 Big Apple Barbecue Block Party

Just look at the size of that smoker!

Today at noon, FastPass tickets ($125) go on sale for this year’s Big Apple Block Party, one of the city’s signature food events. The two-day weekend festival, now in its 11th year, will be held June 8th and 9th in Madison Square Park. FastPasses, which work on both days, entitle you to $100 in ‘cue and beverages (read: beer). Last year, they were $100, so this represents a bit of inflation, but the pass is still a very good deal. Why?

[Update: Another modification from last year, besides the price, is that the passes are only good for one of the days. Oh, well!]

Pig pickin’ at last year’s Big Apple Barbecue Block Party

The pass allows you to go behind the booths, and avoid long waits in line. Also, no fumbling with increasingly greasy dollar bills, as you redeem them at a remote location for paper tickets. The FastPass, a plastic badge that hangs around your neck and makes you look important, gets punched as the money is dispersed. The best part is that you get two plastic badges, so you can share your BBQ with a friend.

Not all of the booths are good, but the Block Party always attracts some of the country’s best pitmasters and their amazing portable set-ups. Make sure you arrive early either day, hopefully right when the festival begins. And stay tuned to Fork in the Road for our annual handicapping of the barbecue operations.

Rodney Scott’s phenomenal barbecue from Hemingway, South Carolina.

Read the FiTR essay about Scott’s Pit Cook B.B.Q. here.