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 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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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.

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!!!

[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]

Originally Posted by BBQ John

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

[Coz]

Originally Posted by BBQ John

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]

Originally Posted by BBQ John

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.