Festivals

Are you smoking fresh everyday?

How many other food vendors are there?

How many other BBQ vendors are there?

Who tells you it attracts 20,000 people?

XDAWG_15 said:

Are you smoking fresh everyday?-Not entirely sure yet whether I'll be cooking fresh every day or not. I'm currently leaning towards cooking a day ahead of time and reheating.

How many other food vendors are there?-I have no idea and didn't ask. But, I've attended the festival the previous two years and I think I saw maybe 15-20 vendors there?

How many other BBQ vendors are there?- Out of that estimated 15-20, I only remember seeing 2-3 BBQ vendors.

Who tells you it attracts 20,000 people?- According to the town's website, the festival attracts 20,000 people. But, after reading a few threads here, cities tend to inflate those attendance numbers.

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Remember, in order to cook ahead that amount of meat you have to be able to properly cool that amount of meat also and store that meat somewhere until the day you use it.

There is quite a bit of time between now and October. I would suggest you spend some time on this forum using the search feature and find out how many times this has been discussed.



When you state up front that you have not looked or done any homework, but ask your questions anyway, you are basically telling us that you cannot be bothered with learning or planning and just need step by step instructions to follow.


The smartest thing you said was limiting the menu. By doing so, you should be prepared for extremely fast service. Ie, it takes longer to handle money than the food.


You mentioned it was your first time doing something like this, but did not mention if you are in the food business. If not, then I would focus on getting licensed and see if that is even feasible.

I know some people like it, but I did festivals for a summer and the majority sucked. Some learnings (beyond the basics of licenses, taxes, insurance, fire extinguishers):

1. How many vendors do they have? Also, how many local groups will be selling cheap food that don’t need to make money? I.e. Boy Scouts, church group, cancer survivor club selling hot dogs for $1.

2. What is your location? If they put you in the back 40, it can impact sales.

3. What if it rains hard and you sell zero?

4. Why do they need another vendor?

cowboyupbbq said:

I know some people like it, but I did festivals for a summer and the majority sucked. Some learnings (beyond the basics of licenses, taxes, insurance, fire extinguishers):

1. How many vendors do they have? Also, how many local groups will be selling cheap food that don’t need to make money? I.e. Boy Scouts, church group, cancer survivor club selling hot dogs for $1.

2. What is your location? If they put you in the back 40, it can impact sales.

3. What if it rains hard and you sell zero?

4. Why do they need another vendor?

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We have done festivals for 13 years and love it.