[Photographs: Max Falkowitz]

The anticipatory night before the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party is a little like Christmas Eve in June. Madison Square Park begins to transform into a pan-American barbecue wonderland as smokers are erected, pork shoulders are rubbed down, and the smoke begins to fill the air. The crowds are still a day away and the pace of things is slow and friendly. What's the vibe? A lot like a party, actually.

Ed took the easygoing evening as a chance to catch up with some old pit master friends and get the dirt about what was in store for the 100,000+ crowd that weekend. What did we find? A baked bean caravan, barbecue real talk, and some surprise grilled chicken one crew was cooking up for passersby.

Take a look at the slideshow above for a look at the night before the city's seminal barbecue festival.