Menomonee Falls WI 2011

[Trainwreck]

Got this email today so I just wanted to share with everyone. It's not out yet.

A note from Men. Falls:
Hi-

Happy New Year! Memories of warmer days on this cold, cold WI day. Will The Big Pig Gig be back in 2011? That is the Big question and we will not have the official answer until our Chamber Board of Directors meet for their annual meeting the last week of January. Look to the website: www.thebigpiggig.com in February for the answer.

[Divemaster]

I missed this one last year and with the 2011 schedule still pending, am hoping to add it to the list...

I really didn't hear much about last years event. How did it go?

[Ron_L]

Overall the event went well. My main gripes were:

1. Noise. They didn't provide electricity and also didn't put a sound level limit on generators. The team next to us had a small construction generator, and , of course, had it on the corner of their site closest to us :rolleyes: It was worse where Coz was because he had the big generator that ran the lights plus several construction generators.

2. Payout. Of course we did well at this comp and the payout were terrible. We received twice as much for 3rd overall at the Dells than we did for Reserve at Menominee.

Otherwise I thought that they did a good job.

[Scottie]

I got in trouble last year for my critique. but if major changes don't occur. I'll be skipping it again. shame really that you have to skip one that is 90 miles from home... Especially when I had offered to assist them.

My main gripe was the money payout. For what they were offering and what the cost was, it 's almost as bad as PoorQ. Oops, I better not critique that one either.. So instead.. I love all contests in Wisconsin. I just won't attend any... I don't need to compete just for the sake of competing for a chance at a bung for the draw. If I lose money at a contest with no chance of making it back, I don't attend and I don't think I am the only team out there that has those thoughts.

[Jeff_in_KC]

What is it with these critiques, Scottie? I got some peeps pizzed off for expressing my opinions on a contest via the critique form earlier in the year year and it wasn't even horrible!

[Scottie]

What is it with these critiques, Scottie? I got some peeps pizzed off for expressing my opinions on a contest via the critique form earlier in the year year and it wasn't even horrible!

Thin skinned organizers Jeff. Folks believe that because they put on a contest and offer $70 as a total prize pool and it costs you $80 to enter, that cooks will come running because it gives the backyarders a chance to compete and a chance for a bung... Well, if that is what the Jack or the AR wants for their teams to represent that state. Go for it. I'm not losing for the sake of a GC or the chance at a bung... To me, it cheapens the state draw. So as long as those contests go on, I will not go to that state or any other contests in that state. Shame, because I used to go to them all in that state.

The other one was me being critical because of the prize fund payouts... I believe it was $250 for entry and GC paid $500 and RGC was $250... WTF? They were not organized at all and I got in trouble for saying that on-line and made the organizer cry.... Shame really, I was the defending champ at the contest and didn't go back to defend...

[Divemaster]

Scottie, I won’t argue with you that the payouts in Wisconsin seem lower, other than I’m sure you made more than the $17.00 I took home after wining Reserve at ‘PoorQue’, but I knew what I was getting into and I don’t think we need to restart that conversation until we get closer to the date for that comp.:drama::thumb::drama::thumb::drama:

I was just asking about Menomonee Falls because of the bad experience I had under the former organizer. From the sound of Ron_L’s comments, they still have some problems to work out.

[Scottie]

I never had a problem with the old contest. Was the hill a PIA? For some yeah. But my understanding was teams could move if they wanted to be on the bottom. the $25k in prize fund made me forget about any problems that they might of had. Teams knew ahead of time what to expect, so I don't know why that effect opinions?

I don't know. I've been to some real bad contests, all over the US... The old Menomonee Falls does not even come close to some of these contests that I have experienced. So I guess I could be looiked at as an expert on bad contests!!! :becky:

[Divemaster]

Scottie, we all have our reasons for either doing or not doing a contest… The best we can hope for is having all of the information before we send in the check and no surprises after we arrive…

[BBQ John]

hey guys. i got this email this morning as well. this event was my first ever comp. so my experience was probaly a better one than some of you veterans. it doesn't hurt your experience as a first timer when you get to take home some prize money and a trophy though either!! all in all, my team learned alot and met some great people who were very helpful to us rookies. my neighbor took home the grand championship, and i cannot thank him and his wife enough for all the help they gave us, especially when my portable generator took a dump and they let us run off of theres!
i am also a citizen of the Falls, and i can tell you the prize money needed to be cut down. they were losing hand over fist on this event in the past and needed to do something. i think Toni and the rest of the organizers have a good general idea of where they want to take this event, and its going to take time. i think as the competition grows, the prize money will also, that is if they decide to continue it which i am confident they will.
i had a problem with the generator noise as well. they need to put restrictions on generator size. its just disrespectful to your neighbors to be running those large units nonstop throughout the weekend.
Ron, you probaly don't remember me but i met you friday night and you gave me the grand tour of your setup.VERY NICE!!
if it comes back, i will be there again. being a new guy to this, its a chance to be judged and gain valuable experience.

[Coz]

I dont know what the fix is for the condition of comp BBQ in Wisconsin is but maybe after this year there wont be any to worry about. We are down to 1 comp maybe 2 . I thought the Falls contest was better other then the loud generators.We didnt have to carry buckets up and down the hill for water. Lots of volunteers consistently asking if we needed anything. We all want more on the payout but at some point the organizers need to figure out how to make a profit for their cause. Corporate sponsors are tough to get . I guess we will travel a little this year to get some contests in.

[BBQ John]

hey Coz, are they still going to do the comp. up by Montello this year?

[Ron_L]

Ron, you probaly don't remember me but i met you friday night and you gave me the grand tour of your setup.VERY NICE!!


Hi John! I remember. I'm sure that it was a short tour :-D

[Coz]

hey Coz, are they still going to do the comp. up by Montello this year?

Poor Q is set for early June. We will be there. I look forward to seeing you.

[Divemaster]

hey Coz, are they still going to do the comp. up by Montello this year?
If you are talking about 'PoorQue', yes it's on the KCBS schedule. Both Stockcar BBQ and Ramona's team (that would be her alone plus us watching over her shoulder) are planning on being there.

[BBQ John]

my team which consists of myself and the prodical son my 17 year old nephew and maybe his father were just talking about this over the holidays. i think we might be checking it out.

[Divemaster]

my team which consists of myself and the prodical son my 17 year old nephew and maybe his father were just talking about this over the holidays. i think we might be checking it out.

I know that there is some controversy over this comp since the money isn’t there, but the reason I enjoyed it was that I was able to pay back to the new teams what I was taught when I started.

Is it a fun comp??? Yes.
Can you help out new teams??? Yes.
Is there money there??? No.
Is it worth it? I really think so, but that's only my opinion...

[Scottie]

My problem wasn't the prize pool. It was the payouts. First place in a category was the same as a GC I believe. I think a 2nd place in a category paid the same as a RGC. To me that doesn't weight the importance of the overall.

[chambersuac]

Thin skinned organizers Jeff. Folks believe that because they put on a contest and offer $70 as a total prize pool and it costs you $80 to enter, that cooks will come running because it gives the backyarders a chance to compete and a chance for a bung... Well, if that is what the Jack or the AR wants for their teams to represent that state. Go for it. I'm not losing for the sake of a GC or the chance at a bung... To me, it cheapens the state draw. So as long as those contests go on, I will not go to that state or any other contests in that state. Shame, because I used to go to them all in that state.

The other one was me being critical because of the prize fund payouts... I believe it was $250 for entry and GC paid $500 and RGC was $250... WTF? They were not organized at all and I got in trouble for saying that on-line and made the organizer cry.... Shame really, I was the defending champ at the contest and didn't go back to defend...

What's a bung? <ignorant mod>

[EatonHoggBBQ]

What's a bung? <ignorant mod>


Haven't you ever had your bung pulled? :shock:

[Scottie]

What's a bung? <ignorant mod>


In a nutshell a bung is a draw for the Jack from your state that you won a GC. An actual bung is a wooden piece of wood that they seal the barrels of whiskey. So for every GC you win, you get a bung for that state. If Wisconsin has 5 state championships, there would be 5 bungs in the draw for that state. Assuming no one has an auto from the state.

[chambersuac]

Haven't you ever had your bung pulled? :shock:

That's kinda personal, doncha think? :becky:

[chambersuac]

In a nutshell a bung is a draw for the Jack from your state that you won a GC. An actual bung is a wooden piece of wood that they seal the barrels of whiskey. So for every GC you win, you get a bung for that state. If Wisconsin has 5 state championships, there would be 5 bungs in the draw for that state. Assuming no one has an auto from the state.

Thanks, Scottie.

[Hogtie N' Ride]

http://poorque.web.officelive.com (http://poorque.web.officelive.com/)

June 10 & 11, 2011

Back again for 2nd annual!

7 teams in already, reserve your spot!

State Championship.

Expect 100% CBJ's.

Hope to see you all!

Anita & Tony

NEW e-mail: apmoore@CHARTER.NET

[Trainwreck]

Well it seems the Fall's cant get their heads out of their arses. My father in law said tht he saw a scroll across the bottom of a news station that the contest will not go on this year. I dont know how they did not make money last year as it was packed. I have offered to help in any way needed and they just dont seem to want any. So as of now it looks like no go here again. WI is stuck at one comp.

[Scottie]

I offered last year and no one took me up on it either...

So WI is going to be an auto for the Jack with a whopping $70 contest?? I just dont get how this is good for BBQ. But that's just me. Shame really.

[Trainwreck]

Its officialy dead.

Express News

The Menomonee Falls Community Chamber will not host the Big Pig Gig in 2011.

In a statement issued Jan. 9, the organization noted that last September's event included "great food and beverages, a diverse lineup of fine music and local talent, a spirited BBQ competition, motorcycle contest, and much more. Feedback from the community, volunteer groups, BBQ competitors and organizers was extremely positive."

" By those measures, the Menomonee Falls Community Chamber hosted a spectacular event for the entire community. However, from a financial perspective, not so positive, so unfortunately the Chamber has made the decision not to host this event in 2011, the chamber stated. "This was not an easy decision, but the Chamber does have a fiduciary responsibility to the membership of the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce. Going forward, the Chamber’s Board of Directors will be investigating other activities to support the Chamber membership and the Menomonee Falls community."

The event was first held by the chamber in 2007 and again in 2008. After a one-year break, it was brought back this year with a focus on local bands instead of national acts that were part of the first two events. The event included the Kansas City Barbeque Society food competition.

[Smokin' Joe]

WI did have 2 jack qualifiers last fall for 2011, so there will be 3 bungs in the draw.

[Coz]

I would not rule out another in the Montello area . Nothing for sure but there is some talk. 33 % odds Joe.

[Boss Hog Wild]

I am sorry to hear about Menominee Falls. Here in the U.P. we are in a strange position, but not just with bbq, almost everything. I work with the other events in Michigan trying to develop BBQ in our state. Almost all of it, other than UP Hog Wild, is down in the bottom third of the state. They are doing a great job building new events, and they have managed to keep a couple of events going strong over time, like Mears and Grand Rapids. Yet at the same time, here Kingsford (a mile from the WI border)we set our clocks to Wisconsin, we root for the Packers, our TV comes out of Green Bay, and I know Wisconsin like it is my back yard. We have ties and a commitment to both states, and to the growth and progress of BBQ in each. Wisconsin has had a great run of events over the years, some of which I have had the pleasure of being a part of one way or another. I hope that the spirit which makes all of this so much fun to be a part of, will find a lot of places to root and grow again. There are a lot of great teams in Wisconsin. They deserve great events to participate in.

[Scottie]

WI did have 2 jack qualifiers last fall for 2011, so there will be 3 bungs in the draw.



I think Milwaukee only had 16?

[Smokin' Joe]

I think Milwaukee only had 16?


Yep, I think that's correct. The two qualifiers would have been Fond Du Lac and Menomonee Falls, I think:becky:

So its us, Coz, and whoever wins PoorQ (assuming they get 25) in the draw

[Ron_L]

I think the folks at the Abbey resort on Lake Geneva are still planning on holding a competition this year. Has anyone heard anything about that one? Also, how about Princeton?

Not that I want to lessen your chances, Joe :)

[Divemaster]

Ramona got an email from the Abbey stating that they are not doing a comp.

[Smokin' Joe]

Not that I want to lessen your chances, Joe :)


I with ya Ron bring them on, I love WI judges (except for that pork table at the Dells last year):becky:

[Ron_L]

Ramona got an email from the Abbey stating that they are not doing a comp.

Oh well...

We need more comps within a two hour drive of home :)

[Trainwreck]

how about Princeton?

Not that I want to lessen your chances, Joe :)

Ron, I heard that princeton is cancelled this year. Mike from Wild Bore-E-O spoke with them and the organizers did not make enough money to put it on again. Just what I heard.

Andy

[Ron_L]

That's too bad. When i talked to them after last year's comp they were all excite and asking about things that they could do to make it better this year.

[Stoke&Smoke]

So has Milwaukee been cancelled as well? I know it was poorly attended last year, but I believe there were two big contests in other areas that weekend that drew teams away from WI.

Hate to lose contests within the area

[Scottie]

Yep, I think that's correct. The two qualifiers would have been Fond Du Lac and Menomonee Falls, I think:becky:

So its us, Coz, and whoever wins PoorQ (assuming they get 25) in the draw


You are right. I forgot about Fon Du Lac.

[Divemaster]

So has Milwaukee been cancelled as well? I know it was poorly attended last year, but I believe there were two big contests in other areas that weekend that drew teams away from WI.

Hate to lose contests within the area
From what I've heard, they are not doing it again this year...

I guess this is what happens when you have most of the comps a week apart... Wisconsin (and Northern Illinois) just doesn't have enough teams to pack it that tight...

[Ron_L]

Yeah, the scheduling was strange. There were a couple of Wisconsin comps early (Dells and PoorQue), and then 5 or 6 in a row in August and September.

[Scottie]

There are enough teams in Illinois to cover it. But having them in WI week after week, with a slim chance of making money is tough on teams. Historically Wisconsin teams never travel more than 2 hours from home. Most are in the 1 hour range. the only one that i know the last few years that has traveled out of the cheesehead state is Dr. Porkenstein.

I blame the organizers for that one on having them back to back. They need to talk to each other and try to plan better. The contests usually don't revolve around a festival, so weekends can change. And I know this is a sore subject, but WI lost a lot of teams last year with the contest that you had no chance of recouping your money. I know of teams that wouldn't go to that state because of the draw being cheapened. (Not my words, that is a direct quote from one of the top KCBS teams.)

Milwaukee's problems is just lack of promoting the contest. Especially promoting it to the fickle cheeseheads that won't come because it's in the ghetto. (see also not willing to travel more than a hour). Even though it was a nice neighborhood. Sorta like saying you are going to get shot in Chicago, because someone did last week. The contest worked when you have teams promoting it, but when that fails, so does the contest.. I know I worked very hard in trying to get 25 teams there in 2009. Went to Nevada last year and didn't try to get teams. She did call me one week before the contest to see if I could do anything for her. A little too late at that point.

[Coz]

As far as Wi cooks I can only speak for myself. We do what we can afford and thanks to some generous sponsors this year we did 6 contests and the royal.We had intended on Libertyville but due to my bonehead mistake damaging the cooker on sunday at the royal we didnt get there. This year will be less contests as we will have to travel a little more to get them in. We would like to do more but due to work conflicts and plans made before the schedules get set we always miss Milwaukee and if the big dollar Minnesota contest rumors come true we will miss that contest in June. There are a couple folks looking to find new place and folks to work with for the Princeton deal and Jack has been talking with some folks for another contest but at this point I dont have a lot of hope. I think a lot of Milwaukees lack of local teams was the choice of weekends maybe maybe not. My job has always required me to work that particular friday but most folks I know head north for the weekend . I just dont think we have a lot of teams that are serious about competing more then a few times a year whether its due to the economics of it or the folks had so many options to squeeze out a few contests? Hopefully we will see ya all at Minnesota in May ,Poor Q , UP Hog Wild , unchosen Iowa contest ,libertyville or the royal.

[Trainwreck]

I know for us traveling has been an issue as we just don't have the funds to do so and my former job was not very understanding of the extra days needed off. I have increased the number of contests I do each year and plan to do so again this year. We plan on going father and farther out each year. This year we are planning to break into IL return to MI and head to the Royal. Next year we are looking at the Whistle Stop in AL. This will be my fourth year competing and as I am starting to feel more comfortable I see myself traveling more. As a newer team it was easier to compete closer to home. I look forward to meeting a bunch of new Brethren as we journey farther out.
Andy