Posts Tagged ‘Memphis in May 2015’
Memphis in May BBQ Contest Tips For Visitors not on a BBQ Team
Wednesday, 01 May, 2013 18:19 Written by Neil
MEMPHIS IN MAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ COOKING CONTEST 2022
We at team Too Sauced To Pork wrote this to help you out!!
Every year we open up 20 spots on our team for people from all over the world with a love of BBQ. Click the join us button on the right to submit your name for consideration as a team member.
First click this YouTube video of James Hyter singing “OL MAN RIVER” to get you in the mood while you read
DON’T SEE THE VIDEO…HIT F5 AND REFRESH
Mr Hyter was an Icon in Memphis, he was beloved by all that heard him. He sang this song multiple times in a row at each Sunset Symphony for 21 years to thunderous applause and deafening roars of appreciation. Have any Memphian who had the privilege to attend watch this, and they will tear up. This is his last performance at the Memphis in May Sunset Symphony 1998
Team Booths
All booths are private parties. Unless you know someone on a team, you will most likely not be able to gain access into a booth or the food and drink within, UNLESS you talk nicely to teams, and this doesn’t mean nicely go up and ask for food, you will most likely be dead in the water begging for food.
Nicely ask where they are from, relate to them, ask about our smokers, where we get our meat, what is involved in doing a contest as amazing as Memphis in May. After this line of questioning, many of us will give you a little tour. Subtle, good-hearted flattery works very well in BBQ. Then express GRATITUDE to your new friend by asking if there is anything you could do for them.
Most will say no,
But some will ask if you would mind doing a little clean up or an odd job around the booth…THIS IS A TEST!!!
This means they like you and they are judging your work ethic. You could be headed toward a weekend pass, or be invited as a member next year
Teams are not Vendors, we can not give away food and drinks to the general public. Teams can only distribute their wares to their “invited guests”. An “Invited Guest” by Memphis in May rules is anyone within the boundaries of a team booth.
Teams CANNOT charge you to enter their area, that is a major MIM rule violation. If you are invited into a booth you are however allowed to tip your bartender for the free drinks you have been given. That is just common courtesy. Tip them well.
Bartenders courtesy of Team Cadillac Grillz
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Many booths have a security guard on the door at night during “Party Time”.
You will not get in without;
- Knowing your buddies name – their full name, and probably their SSN and mothers maiden name
- Or having the gift of gab
- OR being a good looking female
- Or you actually followed the advice in the first paragraph and made friends with a team
Number 3 works on 75% of booths with large parties, and remember, according to our friend Paul Ryburn of the Moody Ques BBQ Team, The tube top is the official garment of Memphis in May, so wear it proud ladies.
PARTY TIME AT BBQ FEST
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ATTEND THE MS. PIGGIE IDOL COMPETITION ON THURSDAY
MAKE NEW BBQ FRIENDS LIKE THESE!!!
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VENDORS
There are vendors that sell food, drink, and merchandise to the general public. Teams can not do this or we will be DISQUALIFIED from the Contest. These VENDORS take cash, bring cash. There are atm’s in the park but bringing cash ensures no fees, and avoids breakdowns and outages.
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PARK ADMISSION
Gate admission is FREE on Thursday and Friday from 11am-1pm
Gate admission is $10 after 5pm Wednesday, and 1pm Thursday and Friday, and all day Saturday
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WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES
WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES…We can not stress this enough. The park is a mile long…you will walk up and down it many times, a member of our team, Neil, wore a pedometer a few years back. In the time he was at the contest, he walked 47 miles in 4 days. 17 on Friday alone. Your feet will get stepped on, there could be mud, there are plenty of sharp pebbles to get stuck betwixt your toes, not to mention the evil discarded (INVISIBLE AT NIGHT) corn dog pungi sticks. Nothing will ruin your day faster than a limping trip to the first aid tent…PROTECT YOUR FEET!
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MEMPHIS IN MAY PROGRAMS
Kingsford Tour of Champions
Onsite judging is Thursday and Friday – $15 gets 3 half hour team sessions with samples of bbq, SERVED IN TEAM BOOTHS.
You need to sign up for this NOW as it sold out the last 5 years
Register Here for Kingsford Tour Of Champions
Cooker Caravan
Tours of team booths leaving every half hour from 1130-330 daily FREE FREE…did I say FREE
BBQ ALLEY
Tastings of team eats in a dedicated area reserved just for you. Ticketed Event
Memphis in May VIP Ticket Program
Access to many of the top MIM Team Booths, Booze, Food, the Whole Shebang.
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WEATHER
The weather can be Sun and Beauty at noon, then ten minutes later you feel the breeze kick up watching over Ol Man River towards Arkansas you spot it, HEAVY, DARK, BLACK and PENDULANT
It is the pestilence of BBQ Fans everywhere…a THUNDERCLOUD. Do not fret, it will pass, they are usually quick. Calmly and with gratitude, ask a nearby team if you may shelter down with them until the worst passes. Most will say yes, if they say no; nod, say thank you anyway, and move to the next team. DO NOT YELL at them…teams will not let angry people in their tents, we will see your blow up and not let you in our tent located next door.
If they don’t let you in, shame on them, Karma will reign supreme come awards.
NEXT IN LINE – NO TROPHY FOR YOU!!!
It can go from this
To this…
a bit overdramatic I know..
But we teams were forced to evacuate the Contest back in 2003 when a tornado was just across the river. Friday night, middle of a huge party, Shoulders and Hogs on the smokers…ask any of the teams that were there, it was crazy, it will probably rain one day for an hour, but once again let me state that weather such as the picture above IS VERY VERY RARE!
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WHAT TO BRING
Outside food and drink can only be brought in by teams, specifically members of teams with 24 hour park wristbands…they will search anything you bring, and you will be forced to throw away any “contraband” items.
CONTRABAND is:
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.
For more information click here to read our FULL UNOFFICIAL GUIDE to Memphis in May BBQ Fest
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