Smokin' in the Park (SD)

[stevuchan]

This weekend there is what is being billed as So Cals largest BBQ competition at Veijas. Details here http://www.centredaily.com/living/tra... and elsewhere. Has anyone attended this event? Looks like a winner, and would be good to have some competition que along with craft beers.

[swrmc]

I tried to go last year and found it very poorly organized. You were made to stand in one single line of 50-100 people to buy a ticket, and then a second long line to get your plate. Walked through the contestant area and saw no tasting samples. We ended up with a hot dog from the stand near the entrance.

[deeznuts]

Buy a ticket to get in, or buy a ticket to do the people's choice? The site says there are no tickets, no lines, no admission. But you can purchase a ticket to participate in the people's choice contest.

As long as I can buy a plate of food, and beer, I'll be happy I guess.

[stevuchan]

What I'm thinking is you have to arrive early to get the que because the people choice awards are at noon. Always disappointed in BBQ/Food festivals, with the exception of NOLA Jazz Fest, but still hoping for the best. I've decided to attend.

[deeznuts]

As long as the beer flows I'll be happy :) And there is still good que then I'll go ahead and grab some. if not I can hold my own with my smoker at home :)

[Chow Down Hound]

Last year there was only one vendor selling food and it was a mess. The vendor selling wasn't even part of the competition. This is the first year with People's Choice which should prove to be a heck of a lot better. I know a lot of the teams competing including Prof Salt, Bigmista, Notley Que, etc. Sadly for the attendees some of the best food (not barbecue) is at the pot luck. OMG!

[stevuchan]

Ditto this year, could have been better organized. Out of the 6 or so people's choice contestants we tried two were good, one was awful and rest were mediocre. I imagine that the majority of the good Que went to the judges. I did enjoy checking out all the different BBQ rigs and the casino and bar were well air conditioned. Probably won't be back next year, unless in competition, but I'm glad I attended.

[KirkK]

I attended as the guest of Professor Salt of the 4Q BBQ team, a couple of years back.

http://fourqbbq.com/Home.html

Back then, they didn't allow for tasting of the various entries by the public, but as a guest.....

If you've never been to one, you might enjoy it.

[MrKrispy]

ohhh darn, I am gonna be out of town. Let us know how it goes!