BBQ Festivals

With a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the area, Radar showing Flashing RED front approaching and 97 degrees on the shaded porch thermometer, We have elected to pass on our second day visit to Madison. Would be interesting to see some of these cookers floating by on the Ohio River !!

quote:

Originally posted by ZekeTheCat

For those of you in WC/SW Ohio or EC/SE Indiana or northern Ky area's that like BBQ pork chops - The Preble County Pork Festival in Eaton Ohio is coming up next month and well worth a road trip. Yummy pork chops and homemade sausage and all the fixens. They have an "all you can eat smorgasborg" or a cafeteria style "Buy it by the item" serving area's. Only bad thing are the huge crowds and long waiting lines.

http://www.porkfestival.org/

I don't know if they still have them but in years past they used to have pig races at the festival. They were much fun to watch these little pigs running around the ring.

Rib Dog is a judge at the Jack Daniels Festival in October. I am pretty sure that I will attend.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I met my friends alesrus and aleswench at the New Paltz fairgrounds yesterday for the first ever rib fest in this area. We were a bit late to get freebies given out by the contestants, but we did score a few bitesof sausage
provided by the contestants. There were about 25 teams doing grilling yesterday - we should have arranged to come on Sunday when the ribs and butts were on the menu. The grilled items were fish???, ribsteak, sausage, and chicken. Most of the teams were from New England and New York- I think the farthest away was a team from Ohio.

Nevertheless we had a good time talking to the competitors and , best of all, enjoying Jack McDavids ribs and pulled pork - They were delicious- five bucks for a sandwich and ten bucks for six or seven ribs. Jack was there himself with his signature bib overalls, tending the smoker and the grill and working really hard. Despite how busy he was he made time to talk to everyone and shake hands - no prima donna he!

All in all i think the rib fest was a success and I guess it will be repeated again next year.

Cheers, John

One of the reasons I am attending the Jack Daniels BBQ event is that it is one of the few that where you can sample the BBQ. It is a bore to attend without sampling.

Thank you Jack Daniels for the sampling.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Here are the results for the Hudson Valley Rib Fest Sunday....
We had a great time on Saturday thanks to Seafarer for showing us the way to Rivendell...


Chicken
1 Dirty Dick
2 Front Street Smokehouse
3 Daisy May's BBQ
4 Big Island Barbecue
5 Purple Turtle
6 Dave's Good Ole Boys
7 Yankee BBQ Boys
8 Cockey BBQ
9 I Smell Smoke !!!
10 THe Anchormen

Ribs
1 Big Island BBQ
2 Dirty Dick
3 Daisy May's
4 The Frying Pan
5 Puple Turtle
6 I Like Smoke-n-Lightning
7 I Smell Smoke!!!
8 SirSauceAlot BBQ
9 The Anchormen
10 BBQ Brethren

Pork
1 I Like Smoke-n-Lightning
2 I Smell Smoke !!!
3 Big Island BBQ
4 The Frying Pan
5 Jack McDavids Down Home BBQ
6 Big Man Little Man BBQ
7 Daisy May's
8 Purple Turtle
9 Jakes Bar B-Q
10 Ma's QUe Crew

Brisket
1 Big Island Barbecue
2 I Smell Smoke !!!
3 I like Smoke -N-lightning
4 BBQ Brethren
5 Daisy May's
6 Ma's Que Crew
7 Dirty Dick
8 The Frying Pan
9 The Anchormen
10 Jack McDavids Down HOme BBQ

Overall
1 Big Island BBQ 662
2 I Smell Smoke !!! 648
3 Daisy Mays 645
4 Dirt Dick 633
5 I Like Smoke-N-Lightning 633
6 Frying Pan 613
7 Purple Turtle 609
8 Yankee BBQ Boys 605
9 The Anchormen 603
10 Cockey BBQ 601

27 Teams .

FYI: Anyone interested, the old Columbus weekend Pig-n-pepper festival that was in Westford, MA is now in Lowell, MA called Rib-n-brews see: www.lowellma.gov/eventitems/2005-ribn-brews will be held on 9/10&11/2005 There is also a free Banjo & fiddle contest at BoardingHouse Park in Lowell 9/10 12-6pm see: www.LowellSummerMusic.org click on shows, at bottom of Pg is info, click on more for details.

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

Rib Dog is a judge at the Jack Daniels Festival in October. I am pretty sure that I will attend.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Actually, I am there as a volunteer worker and not a judge. Will probably judge there one of these days but I think they need my help there more as a worker since this will be my fourth year as a volunteer and they are finally getting me trained properly. But I truly enjoy being a volunteer for JD. These are good people.

See you there Sundancer.

John

Yes, we had a very good time at the New Paltz ribfest. It was very interesting speaking with the contestants - so much so that we are going to compete next year. This would be our first time. We have always wanted to try, and given the size of this festival (only 25 or so contestants) it would be a perfect first. We have a year to prepare and I am sure that down the road will bring many questions here.

Thanks to Seafarer for being such a gracious host - we always enjoy your company!

Jack McDavid's was the only edible "for sale" ribs there - the others basically went in the garbage - very disappointing. But Jack's were right on the money. What a novelty to get to see him!

Are there any bbq contests held in Virginia?

Thanks,

Herb

10/22/2005
Virginia Barbecue Fest
Fredericksburg, VA
Contest Contact:
Rick Ivey
1814 Country Rd.
Beaverdam, VA 23015
540-368-2800

Also, every July is the
Smoke on the Mountain BBQ Championship
in Galax, VA


and every June is the
National Capital Barbecue Battle
in Washington, DC on Pennsylvania Ave
between the White House and US Capitol

These are MBA (Memphis Barbecue Association) sanctioned events.
The winners compete in Memphis every May for a crack at being called World's Best
at the Memphis in May International Festival's World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

To sample the contestant's food, you usually have to go to the People's Choice tent and pay a few bucks to sample about 5 BBQs and rate them.
But vendors from all over are there selling their stuff too.

RH----I use to go when it was at Kimbles it was super then. Unfortunatly that's the same weekend of the Seafood Festival at Hampton Beach. But I might be able to do a little Surf and Turf. Chow Jim

http://www.visitdanville.com/page.asp?menuid=4501&sub1menuid=4502&sub2menuid=4507

"Pigs In The Park" is held annually in Danville, VA.

This is a little off topic... But has anyone ever figured out what percent of the gate there sales were? Like if there were 150,000 in attendance, how many people have you served? if you sold $7,000 at that event = 4.7%. I was just woundering how you would plan how much to buy and cook based on attendance forcasts.

Jojo

Hey RibDog, have one for us at the Jack. We won't be attending this year, as the new restaurant keeps us home these days.

Say hello to everyone for us, we miss you guys!

"I Smell Smoake" has been on the circut for a while I have sampled there Ribs and they were real good.

quote:

Originally posted by alesrus

Here are the results for the Hudson Valley Rib Fest Sunday....
We had a great time on Saturday thanks to Seafarer for showing us the way to Rivendell...


Chicken
1 Dirty Dick
2 Front Street Smokehouse
3 Daisy May's BBQ
4 Big Island Barbecue
5 Purple Turtle
6 Dave's Good Ole Boys
7 Yankee BBQ Boys
8 Cockey BBQ
9 I Smell Smoke !!!
10 THe Anchormen

Ribs
1 Big Island BBQ
2 Dirty Dick
3 Daisy May's
4 The Frying Pan
5 Puple Turtle
6 I Like Smoke-n-Lightning
7 I Smell Smoke!!!
8 SirSauceAlot BBQ
9 The Anchormen
10 BBQ Brethren

Pork
1 I Like Smoke-n-Lightning
2 I Smell Smoke !!!
3 Big Island BBQ
4 The Frying Pan
5 Jack McDavids Down Home BBQ
6 Big Man Little Man BBQ
7 Daisy May's
8 Purple Turtle
9 Jakes Bar B-Q
10 Ma's QUe Crew

Brisket
1 Big Island Barbecue
2 I Smell Smoke !!!
3 I like Smoke -N-lightning
4 BBQ Brethren
5 Daisy May's
6 Ma's Que Crew
7 Dirty Dick
8 The Frying Pan
9 The Anchormen
10 Jack McDavids Down HOme BBQ

Overall
1 Big Island BBQ 662
2 I Smell Smoke !!! 648
3 Daisy Mays 645
4 Dirt Dick 633
5 I Like Smoke-N-Lightning 633
6 Frying Pan 613
7 Purple Turtle 609
8 Yankee BBQ Boys 605
9 The Anchormen 603
10 Cockey BBQ 601

27 Teams .

Anybody heading to Kansas City this weekend-The American Royal, the World Series of Barbecue is happening Friday, September 31 and Saturday, October 1! Visit with over 400 'Que teams from all over the country and some from all over the globe. Eat competition 'Que from teams participating in the "Taste of The Royal". Fireworks Friday night! Visit the Sauce Store to taste and buy hundreds of Barbecue Sauces from all corners of the nation! You can even vote for "The People's Choice Award" for best sauce. When you visit the Sauce Store stop on by and say, "Hello," to BuddyRoadhouse. See you there!

quote:

Originally posted by Raine

Hey RibDog, have one for us at the Jack. We won't be attending this year, as the new restaurant keeps us home these days.

Say hello to everyone for us, we miss you guys!

I will Raine as I know you will be missed but the success of the new restaurant comes first. One of these days, the team will have to come by and say hi at your new place. I already hear good things about it.

John

quote:

Originally posted by BuddyRoadhouse

Anybody heading to Kansas City this weekend-The American Royal, the World Series of Barbecue is happening Friday, September 31 and Saturday, October 1! Visit with over 400 'Que teams from all over the country and some from all over the globe. Eat competition 'Que from teams participating in the "Taste of The Royal". Fireworks Friday night! Visit the Sauce Store to taste and buy hundreds of Barbecue Sauces from all corners of the nation! You can even vote for "The People's Choice Award" for best sauce. When you visit the Sauce Store stop on by and say, "Hello," to BuddyRoadhouse. See you there!

Actually, the count is now over 500 for the number of teams cooking at the Royal. Unfortunately, I will not be there. But stop by and say hi to DrBBQ and tell him RibDog sent you.

John

We have submitted our sauce for the competition, sure would be nice to add another trophy to the restaurant.

Good luck in the contest. Did you send extra sauce as a donation to the Sauce Store? Many entrants send additional sauce which we then sell in order to raise money for several local charities. In the past they have included Meals on Wheels, The Dream Factory and a bunch of local scholarship funds. This year we're helping the Rose Brooks Home for Abused Women and an animal protection group. If you missed out this year, please consider it for the future. It's all tax deductible, we plug your sauce, and you get to do some good.

Yes, we also sent a donation for the store.

Thank you!!!! What is the name of your sauce? I will make sure to recommend it to customers.

EB's Bar-B-Que Sauce

We set up the store today and I remember seeing your stuff. I'll be sure to taste it tomorrow and steer folks toward it. Thanks again for the donation.

P.S. After we finished setting up, I met another buddy at Stroud's for dinner. I'm still bloated.

Any results on the people's choice. I didn't see it posted on the AR website.

I didn't stick around for the awards ceremony-we were exhausted. I believe "Blues Hog" took the People's Choice, but no confirmation. Your sauce sold out and was quite well received. Thank you for sending your donation. FYI: you would be welcome to come down and personally represent your sauce. It's a fun weekend among all things and all people that are BBQ. All aspects of the trip related to The Royal would be tax deductible and you could push your sauce for The People's Choice!

We have qualified twice to compete in the Invitional, but have never made the trip. Too much time required to make the trip, just don't think it is a contest we would enjoy. Too many teams and other issues to deal with.

Pig Jam is coming up soon down here is sunny Florida! This event is so much fun and full of great food, worth traveling to see!

The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Saturday, November 19 Plant City Pig Jam, which will be held at the Randy Larson Softball Four-Plex. From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the third annual event, contestants will compete for cash and prizes in professional, amateur and kids’ barbecue competitions.

Pig Jam guests will be able to sample some of the country’s best barbecue ribs, pork, beef brisket and chicken. Plus, there will be live entertainment, a rock-climbing wall, moon walks and other activities, and sno-cones, cookies and other refreshments will be available. Admission is free; parking is $3 per vehicle. For more information, contact the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce at 813-754-3707, or log on to www.plantcity.org.

There is always a good turn out of people, make sure you are one of them and come on down to the Sun Shine State!

The Bikes, Blues, and BBQ festival in Fayettville, AR is a great one. Great food, great music, and 100,000 motorcyles cruising the famous Dickson street the entire weekend throughout all hours of the night. But we can't forget about all the beautiful women that hit up the many bars on Dickson street. I was a little intimidated my first time to attend because I am by no means a biker and the 100,000 bikers could be intimidating, but I fit right in and have had the time of my life for a few years now. If you like great barbeque, blue and motorcycles than be sure to be in Fayettville, Arkansas the first weekend of October. http://www.bikesbluesandbbq.org/

Yesterday I returned to the annual Ribfest at the Ulster County Fairgrounds - only about 5 miles from my house.

The fest has grown to 51 contesting teams this year and an attendance of many thousands. A new item was added to the contest this year -something done on the grill made of apples ( apples are a big crop in this area). The gates opened at noon and I got there about 12:30 and should have grabbed a bag of ribs from one of the vendors (Jack McDaniels is always reliable and good, and a local butcher has lately gone into BBQ and does a very nice job- Elias' Meat Market, Highland, NY), but chose to tour the contestants' area first and talk BBQ with the folks there. By the time , an hour and a half later, I got to the vendor's stands the lines had become in the hundreds. Even for great ribs I'm not one to stand in line for an hour or more.
So, I purchased some roasted corn and a jar of local honey and an ice cold tasty lemonade - all turned out to be fine ( not consumed together).

The highlight of my visit was when I stopped to talk to a team from Fairfield, NY that consisted of a man and wife and their 12 year old son. She insisted that I taste her Apple Cake that she had just removed from the grill - a crumbly sugary delight loaded with chunks of apple. Then he offered me a slice of the brisket they were about to turn in for judging - no sauce, just the deliciously moist and smoky slice of brisket after 14 hours in the smoker. I'm usually a bit wary of brisket having had too many tasteless dried out slabs at BBQ's, but this man's offering was as good as it gets, and I told him so.

Then to my surprise and delight he tossed the two ends (about a pound altogether) of the brisket into some foil and into a bag and asked me to please take some home to my wife. I did, and we enjoyed it for dinner last night. I call that, "the generosity of strangers" - I regret I did'nt get their name or their team name.

Visiting with the contestants is always a pleasure; despite being tired after tending their smokers all night and under the tension of competing, most are friendly and outgoing, and some will gladly give you a sample of what they have cooked. I had a lot of samples of pulled pork yesterday and every one was damn good BBQ with individuality - the range of flavors was realy interesting.

This fest is growing rapidly and the size of the crowds is getting to be too much for a guy like me who is not very happy in large crowds, and who hates to stand in line.

Cheers, John

I attended the fest for the first time this year. I will attend again next year. We need more festivals like this in the area!

I have had Elias ribs before, actually had them cater an event at work. Very good food.

The Hickory up on Rte. 28 and in the city of Kingston is very good too.

I did not see Barn Stormers from Newburgh.

Some pics: http://www.hotdogshopsaroundamerica.com/hotdogforum/viewtopic.php?t=15

As far as I know Barnstormers does not cater or offer food off-premises. Hickory does very nice pork, their brisket, the one time I tried it, was dry and not very tasty. The folks at Elias are very nice people and they run a real quality butcher shop- I'm ashamed of myself that we do not shop there more often .
And, speaking of Highland, I highly recommend the Highland Cafe for breakfast or lunch - it's located on Main St.

Cheers, John

I have to tell you if you are a BBQ fan you should really look hard into being a certifeid Judge. I have been one for a couple years now and it is one of those things that once you do you kick yourself in the but for not doing it earlier. You get to samle some of the best BBQ you have ever had and then take home the leftovers and enjoy it the rest of the weekend. Go to www.kcbs.com and find out when they will be holding a judging class in your area. Or find and event that you can judge in wihtout being certified and try it. Bring a cooler and some zip lock bags and get ready to taste some of the best BBQ you have ever had ... every weekend!!!!

Tony

I should have posted this a while back. Sorry for the late notice.

The Sayville Fall Festival (Sayville, Long Island, NY)will be hosting the NY State BBQ Championships on the weekend of Oct. 19th.

There will be a full Fall Festival in swing, with rides, contests, parades, etc. as well as the competition. There will be both BBQ and nonBBQ vendors selling food.

There is room for roughly 32 teams and there are roughly 25 signed up.

It should be a great time and I would love to see you all come down and say 'hi'.

We need some more judges, if anyone here is interested!

Let me know if you need any more information.

Eric Devlin
saberinc@optonline.net

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