If you love good BBQ – and who doesn’t? – the Great Pumpkin Farm’s Fall Festival in Clarence, NY is where you want to be this weekend, as more than 90 teams compete in the annual Oinktoberfest BBQ Cookoff – New York State’s longest continually running sanctioned BBQ competition! The theme for this year’s event is “Aloha to the Pig!”

Preview night is this Friday, September 20 and includes FREE ADMISSION to the Great Pumpkin Farm (note that the Fall Festival will NOT be open on Friday night). Gates open at 5:00 p.m. so guests can enjoy finger-lickin’ delicious BBQ and enjoy beverages at the beer and wine garden. Buffalo’s own Miller and the Other Sinners will provide a southern soul backdrop of great music from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the main stage.

The Fall Festival kicks off its second weekend at 10:00 a.m. Saturday with its usual activities and events plus more delicious BBQ at the main event: the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS)-sanctioned OINKTOBERFEST competition. Judging takes place beginning at noon; the awards ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. Team entries will be judged and scored according to KCBS guidelines and rules. Food categories will include chicken, pork ribs, pork butt/shoulder and beef brisket. The scores of these four categories determine the Grand Champion.

Sunday promises more delicious eats with the Backyard BBQ & RibOink-Off.  There will also be live music on the main stage, as well as a performance by traditional hula dancers at 11:00 a.m. and by Buffalo alternative artist Grace Stumberg at 6:00 p.m.

Also happening this weekend:  Zombies will be wandering around the superhero-themed corn maze from noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and The Balloon Experts will be on hand from noon to 4:00 both days making incredible balloon characters and designs.

 As with every year at this annual fall attraction tradition, there’s something for everyone, including amusement rides; hayrides; corn maze; the pumpkins and mum patch; pumpkin cannon; shooting gallery; homemade donuts, pies, cookies and pastries; Halloween decorations and special events, such as the World Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest, the Trebuchet Contest and so much more!