Jack Daniels BBQ Festival --- I'm going !!!

Waaa hoooo

http://www.jackdaniels.com/displaypromo.asp?promo=bbq_promo.htm

Shall I starve myself or really stuff before the event to stretch my stomach (more)

Oh my - do I eat the chicken? dessert? or stick with just BBQ?

Pork or Beef?

OMG, I am so stressed now, I have to go lay down.

If you have been before and have ANY tips, please advise.

Sounds like you need a shot or 2 of Jack right about now.

MikeS.

In my opinion the Jack Daniels BBQ fest is one of the best because you can sample the BBQ. I have attended before and I enjoyed it the most.

Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

Mike, good suggestion, but I'm a Maker's Mark person!

Hi Paul, figured it had to be among the best...

How about parking and getting around? Is it just a mad house? Can we expect to spend most of our time standing in line? Can you see any of the judging?

How about touring the distillery? We've done it once before and would like to do it again, but imagine this shouldn't be the time to do so?

Our riding group is heading down for two days of BBQ and fun in Lynchburg. Pace yourself...stay away from the sides ( like a ZZTop lyric...he bares down on the meat, and eases of the potato salad...) Also ware comfy shoes and maybe carry a folding stool.

I CANNOT WAIT!!!!! I live very close to lynchburg...I missed it last year but not this year! I will be there!!! Hope to meet some of you guys there!...Big G..where you riding in from?

Josh

Shelbyville, Tn

Josh,
We should have 6 or 8 of us coming in from Knoxville. We're going to stay in Manchester and drive over early. Try to get parking up close as opposed to parking at the High School.

quote:

Originally posted by mvanpatten

How about parking and getting around? Is it just a mad house? Can we expect to spend most of our time standing in line? Can you see any of the judging?

How about touring the distillery? We've done it once before and would like to do it again, but imagine this shouldn't be the time to do so?

Parking last year was a mess...we parked at the High School (they run a shuttle service) but wound up walking into town, about 1.5 miles or so.
Yes, you will stand in line to get to the Q...but it moves pretty quick and it gives you a chance to talk to the folks around you.
I don't think they'll let you watch the judging...I'm a KCBS judge and they keep us hidden so that the judging remains blind.
If you want to go through the distellery I would do it early in the day.

quote:

Originally posted by Big_g


Parking last year was a mess...we parked at the High School (they run a shuttle service) but wound up walking into town, about 1.5 miles or so.
Yes, you will stand in line to get to the Q...but it moves pretty quick and it gives you a chance to talk to the folks around you.
I don't think they'll let you watch the judging...I'm a KCBS judge and they keep us hidden so that the judging remains blind.
If you want to go through the distellery I would do it early in the day.

Thanks, this is the kind of "inside information" I need. We will not be able to arrive early because we are driving in that day.
Probably arrive around noon.
I guess parking and walking is the best bet? We don't mind walking!
Walking toward the smell of Q and everything that goes with it, will only sharpen my appetite!

I hope to take some video and will post if it's worthwhile, pix too if nobody else does.

Big G...I'm assuming you're talking bout riding in on motorcycles...I would have ridden over with you guys if you were coming from the other direction..perhaps I'll get to see you there!

quote:

Originally posted by Iconic

Big G...I'm assuming you're talking bout riding in on motorcycles...I would have ridden over with you guys if you were coming from the other direction..perhaps I'll get to see you there!

We're overniting in Manchester and will have about 7 sport bikes and Us on a White Goldwing. We're going to try to park near town to keep from walking too much :)

So dissapointed!

After 17 years of running this event, you would think the promoters would have figured out ways to transport and feed the thousands of people that show up.

We parked at the high school. We were ready to walk the mile or so, but were convinced by the locals that since they had seven buses, the wait would be minimal. It was, about 15 minutes, but it still took another 30 minutes to get to town.

As far as getting Q? There were 8 vendors most with two or three lines that each were 15-20 people deep at every single vendor. It took us 30 minutes to get our food. A full slab of ribs (no sides), $20, pork sandwich plate- two sides, $8, pork sandwich $6, two drinks $4. $38.

There was a barrel next to the vendor and I was ready to just step to the side and eat it there. My wife wanted to find a place in the sun (it was just a little chilly when the sun went under a cloud) so we looked for a place to set our food down. Not necessarily a place to set ourselves down. A few picnic tables were taken, no barrel with planks between, a few straw bales were taken.

So we ended up putting our containers on the fender of a horse trailer.

The ribs were warmed over and the pulled pork was actually cooler than room temperature.

We walked over to the judging area, but unless you know someone in the event, who really wants to watch judges eat?

Here's what I was expecting: huge tents with multiple serving lines. Space between vendors so you didn't feel the huge crush. A place to sit - bales of straw are cheap! Samples from some of the winners or entries would have been a plus, but they seemed to be relaxing after preparing their entries, so I can't really complain about that.

We left hours before we planned.

Next time I spend the day searching for BBQ, I'll go to southernfoodways.com and look for three or four recommended places within eight hours of round trip driving and come home satisified.

Darn.

I'd have to say that our experience at "Memphis in May" a few years back was almost identical with your description of the JD Festival....Only we paid $7.00 a head to learn the same lesson and the Vender BBQ wasn't up to the high standards that you describe. We have not been back to that one either.

When it comes to Competition BBQ we like the smaller meetings like the Madison Indiana Ribberfest, The Handy Blues and BBQ Festival in Henderson KY and others like those two. They combine BBQ Competition with entertainment for the public and especially at the Madison Ribberfest they have a 'Backyard BBQ' competition level, as well as a 'Big-League' version. The Backyard version has lots of free samples and interaction between a hundred cooking teams and the public. It is a FUN event!



Let the Big Leagues get lost in their over-marketed big-money events. I prefer to see the guy with a converted pick-up truck being used for a smoker, who has a "Donations Accepted Jar" to pay for the 80 lbs of shoulders he is handing out that evening as samples to the crowd.

I think it would be rare to find a BBQ event where you find satisfactory food being sold. I did the Memphis thing and all I saw was the BBQ teams. I was hungry but good food was not to be found.

The gentleman who went to JD's things was obviously dissapointed. I had always wanted to do that but now I don't.

I guess if you want to get good BBQ, you got to go where they sell it.

Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by mvanpatten

So dissapointed!

After 17 years of running this event, you would think the promoters would have figured out ways to transport and feed the thousands of people that show up.

We parked at the high school. We were ready to walk the mile or so, but were convinced by the locals that since they had seven buses, the wait would be minimal. It was, about 15 minutes, but it still took another 30 minutes to get to town.

As far as getting Q? There were 8 vendors most with two or three lines that each were 15-20 people deep at every single vendor. It took us 30 minutes to get our food. A full slab of ribs (no sides), $20, pork sandwich plate- two sides, $8, pork sandwich $6, two drinks $4. $38.

There was a barrel next to the vendor and I was ready to just step to the side and eat it there. My wife wanted to find a place in the sun (it was just a little chilly when the sun went under a cloud) so we looked for a place to set our food down. Not necessarily a place to set ourselves down. A few picnic tables were taken, no barrel with planks between, a few straw bales were taken.

So we ended up putting our containers on the fender of a horse trailer.

The ribs were warmed over and the pulled pork was actually cooler than room temperature.

We walked over to the judging area, but unless you know someone in the event, who really wants to watch judges eat?

Here's what I was expecting: huge tents with multiple serving lines. Space between vendors so you didn't feel the huge crush. A place to sit - bales of straw are cheap! Samples from some of the winners or entries would have been a plus, but they seemed to be relaxing after preparing their entries, so I can't really complain about that.

We left hours before we planned.

Next time I spend the day searching for BBQ, I'll go to southernfoodways.com and look for three or four recommended places within eight hours of round trip driving and come home satisified.

Darn.

Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGpq4nA_S1M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTjCxRoSvCQ
Crowd shot here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25225730@N00/282717669/

I have been to the big 3

JD
memphis
the Royal

Unless you have vip access or are doing a tv show, unfortunately they have not been worth the hassle.
All 3 have been disappointing. Like the mayor said, search out a smaller local competition, and you will be alot happier.

Cajunking

Yep...lots of people, lots of waiting in line etc. We had a ball tho... We didn't ride our motorcycles because of the heavy rains in East TN on Friday. But got to Manchester Friday night, had a nice dinner and breakfast Saturday a.m. Got to Lynchburg about 8:30 parked in the distilery parking lot. Toured the plant, hit the vendors, ate BBQ, walked around and talked and tried deep fried oreo's, and fresh corn on the cob (talk about a long wait). Hit the antique stores, went back late for some BBQ to go. Went back to the motel and talked with our friends. Went to O'Charlie's for some adult beverages and a sandwich. Slept late on Sunday, hit the Cracker Barrel for some pancakes and drove back to Knoxville.
Yup...I've judged better BBQ, I've paid less for BBQ and I've had a lot better places to sit down for a meal. But I was with 25000 other BBQ fans enjoying a beautiful fall day in central TN. It was GREAT.

Just a couple thoughts to tag onto the above.

The public complaints to the organizers of contests is making some inroads.

Some contests strictly forbid cook teams sharing product with the public.

Health dept restrictions control this.

Some health inspectors make it so difficult for out of town vendors,they won't vend.

Some hard to reach areas will limit the number of vendors,to be sure each makes enough profit to justify returning.

As mentioned above,large fairs/festivals/events that have the bbq contest as side entertainment,encourage vendors of all types-including bbq.

Some strongly encourage cook teams to vend,to feed the public.

Some require vendors to enter the contest,to be allowed to vend.

Some give each team a pork butt to cook and turn in for "peoples choice".

They then let the public sample all and vote for their favorite.

This could cost $2-$5/person and is held around 11AM.

Others approach the" peoples choice" by offering a cash prize to the top voted team ,to give away their excess comp product at their cooksite,an hour after turnins.

Each person is given five tickets to vote their choices.

Teams only turn in about 3 % of what they cook,so there is a lot of excess.

You also get all different meats.

Until a couple years ago health inspectors stopped samples at MIM.

Usually a posting on forums like this,will get you a cookteam response.

A lot of traveling pro teams do not vend,as they attempt to maintain focus on the contest.The cash for give away "peoples choice" helps them interact with the public-if the health dept allows.

We do not vend ,for this reason.

Hope this helps a little.

Tom
FireHouseBBQ

To add to what Tom said, some teams who vend, do so to help pay the cooking teams entry fees, travel expenses, etc.

As Tom also said, most contest the public is not allowed to sample the entries, nor or is the public allowed to watch the judging.
The Jack is different is both of those areas. The Jack allows the public to do what so many spectators complain about not getting to experience. Viewing the judging, you get to see the team's presentation, in which the teams has worked very hard at, practiced with. Then again, I guess it really depends on what you can to get out of the contest. Lots of reasons out there to attend a competition, seeking knowledge and learning, just to eat, have fun and meet some of the best people in the world, the spirit of competition, or a desire to judge.

Lynchburg is a small place, so really not a lot of room to spread vendors out. Then again, that is usually the set up for almost all kind of events of these types.


Then again, we have a different view of the Jack from the other side. We have competed there twice, so we didn't have to deal with some of the same issues.

For those who are unaware of it, there is another BBQ festival that might be a reasonable drive for a lot of you. It is the Barbeque on the River held in Paducah, KY on the last weekend of September every year. Not sure how many people it drew this year (11th year) but several thousand for sure.

I think there were a little over 20 competition teams (I know there were 18 whole hogs entered) and probably twice that number of amatuer teams...all of whom sell their product. Plenty of other vendors selling all types of food. This year over 100,000 lbs. of pork was cooked...our team did over 6000 lbs in the four days of the festival. It is a charity event with all profits going to the charity of each teams choice. It is a lot of work...and fun, and a lot of good causes are helped.

John,
The Paducah,KY Event sounds like a good one. We will try to check it out next Summer.
The two that we have attended and find to be a lot of fun are the Owensboro BBQ Fest in May and even more so, the W C Handy Blues and BBQ Festival in Henderson, KY in June. We don't go to the BBQ cookoff in Henderson , we pick a couple of evenings, usually a Friday/Saturday combination and go down for the music in the Park. Plenty of good venders for fair-food and BBQ and sitting in the Park on a June evening and afternoon is downright relaxing.

watching the video at ... made me feel as if i was there. get you a glass of jack and check it out.