137997 Wed Oct 06 13:59:34 -0700 2004 7 11 South 0 739311 Has anyone attended this event? Does the public get to taste the contestents BBQ or just judges. On the web site they just list a few food booths, ie. fried pies, corn dogs and such. I can't imagine there won't be BBQ booths, but I'm really only interested in going if we can sample all the folks competing for that blue ribbons grub. Thanks Wed Oct 06 13:59:34 -0700 2004 0 JoCreek 1 739319 I was lucky enough to be invited back for a third year as a volunteer worker for the JDI. As such, I will be there once again this year. It is one of the best contests in the states as all of the teams cooking there had to have won a contest somewhere during the past year. To answer your question, many of the teams will offer samples to the public on Saturday afternoon. Not all, but many. There will also be a number of teams in the competition that will be selling que to the public. So you will get to try many of the team's que but not "all". Hope this helps. BTW, if you plan on taking a tour of the distillery, ask for David Roper as your guide. He is truly one of the best guides for the tour. John Wed Oct 06 17:56:48 -0700 2004 739311 0 RibDog 2 739360 Thanks Ribdog. It's funny after I posted this on chowhound I went to a BBQ forum (Road food) that answered the question for me. It was a reply from YOU from 7-19-2003! I had to chukle, as I had a feeling you would be the one to answer my question here. We will be going for the whole weekend. Besides the distillery (will ask for Dave) is there any other great finds in the area food wise. We will be coming from Knoxville. Fri Oct 08 16:59:53 -0700 2004 739319 0 JoCreek 3 739361 No problem. You will have a great time. If you get a chance look me up. Ask for RibDog as more people will know me from that name than my given name. John Verville Fri Oct 08 18:48:48 -0700 2004 739360 0 RibDog 1 739320 I was in Lynchburg 2 days ago and saw the (rather unique and cute) signs for this event. BTW, my only purpose in being there, other than a stop at the General Store, was to eat at Bobo's Boarding House down the street--my favorite place to eat PERIOD (usually can only manage once a year cause I'm 6.5 hours away) You need a reservation, but you might get lucky if you call and they have a last minute cancellation (not on that Saturday) The barbecue will probably pale in comparison. At least one dish a day there (usually the fried apples or dessert) will have the "local product" in it, as they call it. Getting stuffed at Bobo's is a true chowhound dream. Quite coincidentally, my girlfriend and I are visible on the cover of one of their cookbooks. But I can't imagine a better place or cookbook to be immortalized on. Wed Oct 06 20:36:10 -0700 2004 739311 0 KyMikey 2 739358 Thanks, hopefully we can get a reservation for Friday or Sunday night at Bobo's. Hope they have fried chicken. Fri Oct 08 16:50:03 -0700 2004 739320 0 JoCreek 1 739321 We have been lucky enough to ccompete there the past 2 years 2002, 2003. Won 5th in chicken and 5th in pork, 14th in Chef's choice and 17th overall. This year we will be there as Jack RATs. Representative Apprentice Trainees. It is worth the trip. There will be BBQ vendors and some teams will be giving away food after all the turn-ins are done. Miss Mary BoBo's is a treat as well, if you can get in. I agree with John Ribdog, ask for David when you take the tour. Wed Oct 06 21:13:15 -0700 2004 739311 0 Raine 2 739357 Thank you for the response. Good luck in the competion! Maybe we'll see you there. Fri Oct 08 16:46:34 -0700 2004 739321 0 JoCreek