12th Annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party Returns In June

Karen Lo|March 11, 2014 11:48 am EST

The 12^th annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party (BABBQBP) will return to Madison Square Park on June 7^th and 8^th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participating pit masters from all over the country include Chris Lily of Big Bob Gibson Bar B-Q, Mike Mills of 17^th Street Bar & Grill, "the 'pope' of barbecue," Ed Mitchell, and others.

Admission to the event is free, and the barbecue — whole smoked hogs, thousands of sausage links, pounds of pulled pork, and other goodies — will be available for $9 a plate, with proceeds benefiting the Madison Square Park Conservancy. Guests will also be able to enjoy live music and free giveaways as they eat their hearts out.

FastPasses, which guarantee exclusive access to express lines for the ticket holder and a guest, are on sale for $125, as of noon on March 11^th. Tickets are day-specific and include a $100 value redeemable for food and beverage.

For the first time ever, this year's BABBQBP is offering the BigPiggin' Pass, which provides entry to a VIP Hospitality area of the park, in addition to FastPass access. The VIP area will include an open bar, shaded lounge seating, and a complimentary selection of even more barbecue, sides, and sweets.

Karen Lo is an associate editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @appleplexy.