3 Contests that you would not miss....

[ThomEmery]

You Bet Cooking against Kyle next year

 

[TN_BBQ]

How about the Big Ones?

American Royal
Memphis In May
The Jack

 

[Jeff_in_KC]

Sedalia, Missouri - just love the location... huge sites where you can spread out if you want to and other than a guilt trip for not doing people's choice (during turn-ins!!), it's very cooker-friendly. Have water and electric hook-ups at each site as it's in a campground.

Blue Springs, Missouri - very close to home, good location, cooker-friendly and we always seem to make the judges happy there for whatever reason (in three years there, we've gotten 1st chicken, 4th pork, 1st mild salsa, 3rd brisket, 4th pork, Reserve Grand, 1st Brisket and 2nd Ribs)

Those are the only two I have done that I feel strongly about. DeSoto, KS and Platte City, MO are close.

 

[backporchbbq]

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

Eric

Still new to BBQ and this site, unfortunately yes it is serious.

 

[VA BBQ PIRATES]

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

Hey Josh it's in Sayville, NY just before Dover (if I remember right).

My picks -
Salisbury, MD - Just because it's the season opener around here.
Que & Cruz - Well run, great sites - even has showers!

The third one is tough - haven't done any poorly run comps around here. (However the Royal was pretty bad - we weren't on the list for the invite and the rep was a - let's say less than helpful. Plus other things)

Naturally the Jack if we are lucky if not I hear there is a new one in Front Royal - close to home & in VA.

Tom

 

[stlgreg]

Right now for us Murphysboro, Illinois is the only one I have to do. I tend to do the others just once and so i can do others.

 

[Jacked UP BBQ]

I have to say for me
Hudson Valley Ribfest
Battle of the Brethren
Any one day event within one hour of my house

 

[Dale P]

Owensboro
Madison
And If I didnt say Kettering Jim & Tina probably wouldnt give me anymore beer.



The Jack if we ever learn how to cook.

 

[ique]

Snowshoe Grilling Challenge
Harpoon
American Royal

 

[Sledneck]

1. New Holland
2. Sayville
3. Harpoon

 

[lunchlady]

I'll leave out MIM and the Jack... they are SO awesome, giant, prestigious, fun etc...and I'm not sure that's what you were going for originally...
so I'll have to chime in with my New England perspective...

Harpoon... July
very well run and cooker friendly - free beer, gorgeous setting, showers, water and electric, bands, Iron Man competition, state championship and an automatic for the Jack (at the moment). Fantastic festival. Just wish they would/could open it to more teams.

Lake Placid... July
this has got to be the most fun you can have on the 4th of July. very well run, extremely cooker friendly, all amenitites including continental breakfast and hot showers for the teams, an opportunity to make some money with the buck-a-bone contest, bands, fireworks, tons of stuff for the kids, state championship, and all at an historic and absolutely gorgeous setting.

and Pork In The Park... April (not really summer)
this was our first trek out of the NE back in '04, and we've been back ever since. cooker friendly, KUDOS to Sandy! one of the best run contests EVER, bands, vendors, kid's activities and rides, TONS of competition, great payouts, water and electric, and a state championship. Keeps getting better and better... just wish they could get some showers somehow.

I know you said three but I can't possibly leave out THE OINK...

Oinktoberfest... (end of September)
also well run, cooker-friendly, nice payouts, great bands, tons of kids stuff, beautiful area, goody bags (which are rare these days) and a state championship. And, don't forget the pumpkin cannon...

or Hudson Valley...
our first time going this year and I was super impressed. well run, cooker-friendly, beautiful place, showers AND a pool, kids stuff, bands, vendors, fun festival all around.

Oh man... I can't wait to start up again!!!

 

[Scottie]

Mine would be Shannon, Lake Placid and a toss up between Hammond and Snowbird. Hammond because the cooks are spoiled and Snowbird because you will never have a better location for a contest...

Shannon, because it's all about cooking. No fluff.

Lake Placid is probably the hardest working folks in the business. They really do have all bases covered. From location to the special attention paid to the cooks. OK and Dmitry has some real good woodka. (For those that know Dmitry and have ever heard him say it, I tried to spell it the way he says it...) He actually didn't have to ask me twice either... :twisted:

 

[Rolling Smoke]

Kettering, OH: Very cook friendly, the volunteers and staff of the hall there treated everyone great. Parklike setting, with some of the most unique plaques that I had seen....yeah, Jim....the reps bust their arse too for the contest, and treat the cooks like family.....

Thanks for the support Rob. It will be even better next year.

 

[Rolling Smoke]

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

Thanks Podge.....I knew the La Rosa's pizza would hook you.

 

[Rolling Smoke]

And If I didnt say Kettering Jim & Tina probably wouldnt give me anymore beer.

Thanks Dale....we probably won't anyway now that you have given us the endorsement :lol:

 

[Scottie]

I will say that Jim puts on a good one at Kettering. It just doens't look good, as it's up against Shannon for me this year. But his location and layout and goodies are second to none. Very cool contest location.

 

[Smoky River BBQ]

For me, I would have to put Madison, IN. on the top of the list. That is where we strated, and holds a special place in my heart

Kettering, OH. has to be on the list, also. Jim & Co. has done an awesome job, and I really hope to be there again next year, if my schedule at home allows!

And even if it is not everyone's favorite, I need to put Fairbanks, IN. on here, too. I just like the fun atmosphere there, not to mention the great pitch in on Friday nights! Plus it has been tested by Mother Nature and passed. (Those that were there know what I am talking about!)

 

[Fat Angel]

1. Harpoon
2. New Holland
T3. Dover
T3. Salisbury

 

[Q Haven]

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

We are hoping to come down and cook this one this year. My college roommate helps out with the contest and says it is a great time. A long ride for us for sure but we would like to expand our horizons a little.

We have mostly just cooked northeast events, and our favorites so far are Harpoon and Lake Placid. The third would be the Jack if we are ever lucky enough to qualify again.

 

[Sidw]

I would have to go with Madison, Kettering & Owensboro. We really think the people puttiing them on work their butts off for the cooks and the contests are the great.