Coming from Memphis BBQ Network Contests and Memphis in May Comp. I've seen a whole lot of crazy crowds and problems. Its the nature of the beast in BBQ. Now that I cook in KCBS I am having more fun than I ever did in Memphis. Back home my team has had full shoulders stolen off the grill (Memphis in May 2004) and fights from other teams areas spilling into ours and knocking things all to hell WITH THE COPS RUNNING IN AND TAZERING PEOPLE LEFT AND RIGHT (Southhaven MS 2008) Thank the BBQ Gods that I have seen none of that kind behavior at contests up here in NY, granted I have only been to 2 since moving here in August.
The crowds always expect freebees from the teams, and there will always be idiots that will try to run off with a slab of ribs or try to steal a free beer. Everyone just has to remember that most of us started out as that crowd, looking across a table at a guy slicing up a brisket, or in my case a 9 year old going to my first Memphis in May and being awe-struck at the smells and sights around me...I made my dad promise me that when I got older we could enter the contest, and low and behold I've been doin it since I was 16. We just can't forget that the crowds bring in more people interested in the sport of BBQ and with out them, for the most part, we don't have contests.
Now back to topic:
Peoples choice and cooker caravan at MIM is by far the best thing I've seen to get the crowds involved.
Peoples choice the crowd pays 4 bucks for 5 samples (dixie cup size) of pulled pork. They vote on which is the best out of their samples...
Cooker Caravan is a tour of 3 team booths. It is free to spectators and is limited to 15 people per tour. Teams elect whether or not to be involved, and what times are best for them. A guide brings the group over for a 12 minute tour and question and answer session at your booth, you don't have to give samples if you don't want to, and it is a great way to connect with the public.
And as for public Ettiqutte, this is what they hand out at MIM to the public...hope it helps:
Before you visit the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, there are some things you will need to know. We've tried to sum them up for you in the following:
- This is a competition. Local health regulations prohibit teams from serving barbecue to the general public. There are barbecue vendors, as well as other food vendors that can sell to the public.
- There are two programs for our patrons that allow them to experience the World Championship as a team or judge would: People's Choice Contest allows John "Que" Public to taste and judge championship barbecue. In this tent, you will receive 5 samples of barbecue each visit and you judge your favorite of those five samples. You may judge as often as you like and the judging fee is $4 per visit. The Cooker's Caravan takes you on a guided tour of the teams and lets you hear first-hand about the team's passion for pork. The team's will tell you about their secrets for grilling championship barbecue, show you their rigs and explain the process of cooking at Memphis in May. There is no charge for the tours and you may tour as often as you like. The tours are available Thursday and Friday every thirty minutes from 11:30am - 3:30pm.
- The park is about a mile from end to end. Wear comfortable shoes!
- No beverages, bicycles, cans, containers, coolers, food, glass bottles, laser pointers, lawn chairs, oversized umbrellas, pets, roller blades, roller skates, water guns, no thrown objects such as baseballs, footballs, frisbees-etc., or weapons. Food and beverages, including beer, are available from the concessionaires.
- All packages and purses are subject to inspection.
- Picture I.D.'s will be required from everyone purchasing alcohol.
- All food must be purchased with cash. ATM's are available within the Festival site for your convenience.
- We welcome many out-of-town visitors. Please let our guest services volunteers know you are our visitor and they will explain all of the rib-tickling entertainment offered
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