3 Contests that you would not miss....

Any contests in Columbia Missouri. They are always run great, the competitors are top notch, it's always a party, and I get to hang with a bunch of great people!!

I would say New Holland. I loved the layout of the park. I thought it was run really well, and that was our best comp last year.

Dover, I think there is more than enough space, and it is all around run well.

I would say Berks but I hear that is not going to happen this year. So I have no idea what my 3rd would be.

International Barbecue Cook off in Taylor, Texas this August, the National Championship Barbecue Cook Off in Meridian, Texas and the Trader's Village International in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Stagecoach.

3 contests in 2 days. All in the middle of the states biggest country music festival. 70000 people daily and over 30k in prizes all on a huge polo field in the middle of the dessert.

Bigmista said:

Stagecoach.

3 contests in 2 days. All in the middle of the states biggest country music festival. 70000 people daily and over 30k in prizes all on a huge polo field in the middle of the dessert.

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That sounds interesting and hectic.

Two immediately come to mind,

1. Que and Cruz, Bill and his gang ran a first rate contest last year, without sanctioned by MABA. This year its a KCBS event, so there will be even more teams. The sites the teams get each have their own water/electric, are big enough to get the toy hauler into and still have room to cook, and the area is peaceful. Until someone yells, "I LOVE TI$%IES" at 4am, that was interesting to say the least!:shock::shock:

2. Galvinells Meat Company BBQ Contest. Jen and her father have been doing this one for a couple of years now, proceeds benefit local youth groups. Great site, excellent support from Jen and the crew, great run contest.

For the third one, not really sure yet. I would say Bel Air, but heard a rumor, they are no more. Same for Yardley and Berks. Maybe Pickin in the Panhandle, fun contest, less the Hurricane last year.

Iowa State BBQ Championship - Marshalltown, IA. Great organization and close to 70 of the best teams in the midwest. Great Park Setting.

BBQ In The Park - LaPorte City, IA - Last year was the first year but it was a great setting and great organizer. Second part of a back to back weekend contest.

Brew-B-Que - Independence IA - Wifes hometown, great park venue, cooks potluck and free beer Friday night, and Saturday is beer samples for 4 hours with almost 100 beers to choose from.

New Holland. It was our first ever contest and one of the nicest cooker-friendly events and settings.

Cue and Cruz. Bill the Grill Guy's contest. He worked his tail off and it is in beautiful country on gorgeous grounds.

Danville. Another storybook setting, well run with a nice turnout of good teams, and run by real good folks.


There are plenty of other excellent ones out East, but those three are the ones that come to mind right now!
Beers
Chris

Blue Springs Blaze Off - Blue Springs, MO - Hometown contest

Great American BBQ - KC, KS - Been good to us and we get to see a lot of our friends

BarBQlossal - Des Moines, IA - Great contest and we've got a good catering gig up there.

backporchbbq said:

That sounds interesting and hectic.

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It is. Last year it was spread over 3 days. This year is different.

Saturday is a KCBS and an IBCA contest right on top of each other. Sunday is KCBS. People's choice and best booth and show during all of it.

More fun and more work than you can imagine.

I can't believe that none of you farkers said 'Battle of the BBQ Brethren'. Sheesh.

Yes, I know, it's not held in the summer, but still...


Eric

motoeric said:

I can't believe that none of you farkers said 'Battle of the BBQ Brethren'. Sheesh.

Yes, I know, it's not held in the summer, but still...


Eric

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Is that a yearly contest? If so when and where.

I would choose :
New Holland summerfest,, couldn't ask for a better run event, and the park is a very nice setting (even thou our spot is like a mile away from turn in,,lol)

Pickin' in the panhandle WV, again,, minus the bad weather, nice campground, only complaint would be not all spots have electric and water.

Dover would be third,, only because I love nascar, and having a contest inside the race track is pretty cool.. they do however need to work a few things, the judging area, and two years ago when we got hit with that nasty storm with all the bad win, no one from the event checked on any of the competitors.

Kettering, Madison and The Jack, if i get lucky enough to get back there.

Man. I'd have to agree with new holland. Turn-ins 2 seconds from me and jack mcd's site, wonderful organizers, wonderful setting and a chance at a three peat in sausage!

Battle of the brethren is also at top of my list for countless reasons.

Then I'd throw in MIM even though I don't cook it but I love it every year.

It would kill me to only pick 3. There are so many great contests we haven't had an opportunity to cook at yet.

Modesto was an unbelievable high for us -- our first GC, and we got to take home that incredible championship belt. If it's held again next year, we'd love to go defend.

Grill on the Hill in Snowbird, UT -- BBQ on the banks of a rushing snowmelt torrent, skiers clomping by in their boots, brilliant sunshine and an impeccably run contest with great names we'd love to beat. What's not to like?

Durango, CO for the Fourth of July -- Sweet little comp in the park, such nice people, that second GC made us feel like maybe we weren't a fluke. Pretty country there, and best fireworks display!

Salt Lake City, UT, Rock & Ribs -- How cool is it to BBQ right in the heart of downtown between chrome and glass? We have a grudge match over two tiebreakers to settle there.

Smokin' in the Park at Viejas, Alpine, CA -- Another great contest, super organizers, the casino and outlet stores right there. That GC was a HUGE confidence builder, it was the state's largest BBQ comp ever.

And, of course, how could one not include the Jack? That's an experience unlike any other. Can't imagine ever being too jaded to go.

And those are just all in our little backyard -- we haven't even begun to step out and hit contests in the "real world" yet. We've got a lot of learning yet to do, and I know there are any number of really great contests out there that we've got to cook someday.

backporchbbq said:

Is that a yearly contest? If so when and where.

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I really can't decide if that question is facetious or not.

Eric

Stagecoach But I will admit to being a bit of a homer on this

Stagecoach Indio CA
Veijas Alpine CA
and the annual Thom Emery Invitational.