Community Ribfest?

[5lakes]

Greetings to all!

I've been toying with an idea for some time now. I have no idea how to make it work, though. I know it can, it does elsewhere. It's more an idea to get our town to get out and make friends more than anything else.

I'd like to organize a community ribfest. Nothing big or fancy. Not a lot of special rules and hoops to jump through. Just a friendly gathering of people that like BBQ and maybe some kind of judging with prizes that would mean something to local people.

The only thing I'd really like to emphasize is that each entrant would need to have some kind of sample table with treats for visitors.

I might have a lead on a local company that would underwrite expenses in exchange for "Sponsored By" type advertising. We have a fair number of local butcher shops and stores that might be willing to offer specials for registered participants. Our county produces one helluva lot of pork.

It would be really cool if the whole thing could expand to include a chili cook off some time in the future.

I've tried looking for some kind of path to follow, but keep coming up empty.

Has anyone here done something similar? Perhaps, if it grows, it could turn more 'professional', but that's not what I want. Just Uncle Joe and Aunt Mable out for a good time, old friends becoming re-acquainted.

There are a lot of parks in the area that could support a good sized gathering, some with lake access for swimmers and boaters.

So, what kind of job am I trying to tackle here? Any ideas for general rules? Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanx.

[crusty ol salt]

dude, i was just thinkin' this evening 'bout doin sumthing like this for a church event. saturday parking lot deal, maybe a fund raiser?

good luck

[5lakes]

Hey!

After posting and thinking a bit, I thought about this possibly being a fundraiser for area youth groups, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, local mentoring. Great idea you had there! Thanks.

[Richtee]

Great idea. Call the local Health Dep't. Good luck.

[IrishChef]

Great idea. Call the local Health Dep't. Good luck.

If I recall, you live here in MN. Technically, if you are not selling a product, you can give it away to the public, without jumping through the licensing and inspection BS. But its kind of a grey area, possibly subject to the conditions of the municipality you live in. A lot of it will depend on how you organize the event. If you charge admission, that could be construed as "selling", which would probably make it a real hassle to offer up Q. Fill us in on some more details, and maybe we can help you a bit more.

[Bbq Bubba]

U think you can get more than a couple guys to cook?
The first thing you need is cash for prizes, nobody cooks for free.
You cant even think about passing out food without the HD getting involved and that will prety much take the wind out of your sails.

Where are you located? The GLBBQA is a great help for contests like this, maybe you have a local association by you.

[rbranstner]

How big of a town are we talking here? Would you be expecting hundreds or thousands of people?

[expat]

U think you can get more than a couple guys to cook?
The first thing you need is cash for prizes, nobody cooks for free.
You cant even think about passing out food without the HD getting involved and that will prety much take the wind out of your sails.

Where are you located? The GLBBQA is a great help for contests like this, maybe you have a local association by you.

I cook real good for free. All the time.

[new smoke]

We have an event like that here every July. They have a rib comp and the competitors cook ribs to sell to the public to fund the event.

It doesn't cost any $ to enter and they supply the ribs for comp. No prize money, just T-shirts. Would be nice to get paid, but it is a good time.

Not real big, but we did have 16 teams last year. Good times. Just a great reason to get together, cook all day and sauce ourselves.

Oh yeah, they do supply the competitors with well stocked coolers.

[northern greenhorn]

I've wanted to do that in my hometown as well, but it seemed like a lot of red tape, and a kinda big pain in the a**, so we're talking about having a neighborhood party, were us neighbors can get together, cookout, and socialize

[5lakes]

Thanx for the comments.

Yeah, the health department is my big worry. I need to talk to them first to see if I can jump their hoops.

Minnesota is the state, we are far south central. Dangerously close to Iowa
Population is about 10,000. Not sure how many would enter this kind of thing. We have a pork cook off at the county fair, but that's more restaurants than what I'm looking for. A successful first time would probably have 5 to 10 teams. Having a couple hundred visitors/spectators would be cool. That would include kids.

I had thought about an admission fee, but that may not be the best way to go. I think it would have a better chance with no fees. Maybe sell some t-shirts or something like that.

The best park location has two swimming beaches, shelter house and restrooms. This summer would probably be cutting it short, time wise, so I'm sure next year would be easier to plan for.

[Meat Hunter]

Jerry, that sounds like something that would be allot of fun, and allot of work, but could be worth it. Aren't you over by Windom or that area? I think the first place you should contact would be the local dept. of health. Let them know what your ideas are and go from there. I don't know so much about prize money, maybe some trophies. I would think that if you offered a challenge to the locals and the surrounding areas to come on out and show of their Q, not the ones that do it for money, but the ones that seek bragging rights amongst their friends, you might have a pretty good turn out. Although you might have a few here or there that have done a few comps, I don't know. I think by limiting any prize money or keep it to something like T-shirts, trophies, some big gift certificates from large vendors that would be willing to sponsor like Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Lowes ect, you might get quite a few participants. One will never know unless they try.

[crusty ol salt]

we did a church chilli cook off last feb. 20 crock pots full of chilli and raised $600.00. i know that it is not goobs of money but it was a great fun time

[aczeller]

We have an event like that here every July. They have a rib comp and the competitors cook ribs to sell to the public to fund the event.

It doesn't cost any $ to enter and they supply the ribs for comp. No prize money, just T-shirts. Would be nice to get paid, but it is a good time.

Not real big, but we did have 16 teams last year. Good times. Just a great reason to get together, cook all day and sauce ourselves.

Oh yeah, they do supply the competitors with well stocked coolers.

MY MAN!!! you need to tell me about this some more! I'd love to come down and do a little cook like that. hell... if they are supplying the food and beer, i think i could manage to supply the charcoal. lol

Later,
Andy

[chisoxjim]

just call it a pot luck. Once money and sponsors get into the mix it can get more dificult.

I have done one the past couple years on my property. No hassles from the law or Health Dept.

Last year I did a whole hog, and we had a couple folks with smokers, the year before we had 10 smokers, folks just brought, prepared and shared what they made.

No one at my get togethers was looking to make a dime, it was about hanging out with friends , sharing, eating, smoking, drinking, etc., not awards or $$$$.

I had close to 100 people each year. Not doing it this year due to a sickness in the family, hoping to resume the tradition next year.

Good luck organizing your event, they are alot of work, but alot of fun.