New Contest: Indiana

[sfisch]

The Milk Cow BBQ contest at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana is the same weekend as the Armada contest this year.
Some big name entertainment and they are hoping for 100 teams. As of today, 26 confirmed teams, some names we all know that frequent Michigan comps and 61 confirmed judges signed up, several from Michigan.
Advertising a $15,000 plus prize pool.

Scott

[Ron_L]

It's already on the GLBBA calendar.

http://www.glbbqa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2110

and the KCBS site.

http://kcbs.us/events.php?year=&month=&id=3231

It at Fair Oaks Farm just off of I-65.

http://g.co/maps/rsvhe

http://www.fofarms.com/en/home

Here is the Festival info...

http://www.fofarms.com/milkcowmusicfestival/Music_Festival.html

And the competition info...

http://www.fofarms.com/milkcowmusicfestival/BBQ_Event.html

You may see some familiar names on the team list :D

I've driven by there many times and they have plenty of room. The are providing 30A power to each team and the organizer tells me that there is no charge for larger spaces. They just need to know in advance how much room you need.

The web site says $15,000 prize money and likely to increase.

[Rich Parker]

Being the same distance from there to Armada it is very tempting. Looks like the team list is the who's who of IN and IL :cool:

[Bbq Bubba]

Wow, blows me away how many teams AND judges they have already!

Michigan is just doing something wrong.

[sfisch]

Wow, blows me away how many teams AND judges they have already!

Michigan is just doing something wrong.

Do you think $15,000 plus prize pools may have something to do with it?
The event organizers need to be given credit here, maybe there needs to be a bbq event organizers association formed, they can share ideas for marketing raising cash for prize money and making events successful and attractive to teams.
We create an atmosphere for a round table at the annual meeting but maybe the event organizers in Michigan need to reach out some. Just a thought.

Scott

[Ron_L]

Wow, blows me away how many teams AND judges they have already!

Michigan is just doing something wrong.

I don't think it's so much Michigan doing something wrong as it is the location. They can pull from the Chicago area teams, SE Wisconsin teams, Indiana teams and SW Michigan teams. It's also a business putting on the event, so they are using it as a marketing tool to get folks to experience the farm and hopefully spend some money and come back again.

They also offered a decent discount for early registration and there's nothing else close to us, so it was an easy decision for us.

Do you think $15,000 plus prize pools may have something to do with it?
The event organizers need to be given credit here, maybe there needs to be a bbq event organizers association formed, they can share ideas for marketing raising cash for prize money and making events successful and attractive to teams.
We create an atmosphere for a round table at the annual meeting but maybe the event organizers in Michigan need to reach out some. Just a thought.

Scott

There is an Organizers Roundtable section of the BBQ Brethren that any organizer is welcome to join and share ideas. There aren't too many who take advantage of it.

[spydermike72]

OK, this is just my .02 and I am not speaking as an Officer of the GLBBQA or any thing else, just as a Comp Cook.

2 years ago we had the MIS event that had a $35K prize pool and everybody was griping about a $475.00 entry fee. Now teams are paying $300 for a $15K prize pool. I dont get it... The MIS event had more than double the prize pool and only a little bit more entry fee.

The numbers game was weighted much better toward the MIS event and yet we had to beg borrow and steal to get teams to enter, but now we have Michigan teams not going to a Michigan comp to go to one in Indiana. We are also hearing the same thing about the GR comp, even though they have cleaned up their act for the most part and are trying real hard to overcome the stigma of a bad event in 06....

Most of the Michigan comps offer an early bird discount and most are held in really good facilities, so other than the $15k I am not sure what the Michigan comps are not doing right ??

Is it the prize pool ? If so what is the magic number ? $10k, $15k ??

[Extreme]

Many of us who do the comps have very different goals, some want an entry into a prestigious event, some want trophies to wow potential clients, some seek to highlight a product they sell by gaining exposure,some want cash back to support another try, some just want fellowship of other enthusiasts. Different goals dictate different paths. I am glad we have so many choices . I am going to see my buddies in Armada;)

[Rich Parker]

But do they offer GLBBQA ToY points? Nope, I am going to Armada. ;)

I also heard a rumor that there is a possible blow out Friday night potluck that will definitely sway me. :thumbup:

I have only competed in GR once, and I was given and treated like I was told I would be, so I would call that a good comp.

I wish you all good luck and safe travels where ever you end up.

[Joneser]

As an Indiana boy, I'd like to remind all you Michigan folks that this is not the Michigan BBQ Association. Out of staters get confused when you call it GLBBQA. It's in the name.but it's more like the Detroit/Flint bbq assocation at times.

[Ron_L]

OK, this is just my .02 and I am not speaking as an Officer of the GLBBQA or any thing else, just as a Comp Cook.

2 years ago we had the MIS event that had a $35K prize pool and everybody was griping about a $475.00 entry fee. Now teams are paying $300 for a $15K prize pool. I dont get it... The MIS event had more than double the prize pool and only a little bit more entry fee.

The numbers game was weighted much better toward the MIS event and yet we had to beg borrow and steal to get teams to enter, but now we have Michigan teams not going to a Michigan comp to go to one in Indiana. We are also hearing the same thing about the GR comp, even though they have cleaned up their act for the most part and are trying real hard to overcome the stigma of a bad event in 06....

Most of the Michigan comps offer an early bird discount and most are held in really good facilities, so other than the $15k I am not sure what the Michigan comps are not doing right ??

Is it the prize pool ? If so what is the magic number ? $10k, $15k ??

You raise some good points and good questions, Mike. If I remember, the MIS comp had some other things that folks objected to besides the entry fee. I think part of the fee went to two race tickets that most of us didn't want. I don't remember why we didn't go, but think it was a conflict with something on our calendar.

As far as payout, we've gone to comps with $4,000 prize pools (but lower entry fees to match) because there wasn't anything else close to home on that weekend. Given a choice, assuming that both comps have a good reputation, or for a new comp the organizers at least talk like they know what they are doing, I'll choose the competition that is closest to home with the highest payout. In this specific case it's the distance that was the biggest factor. Fair Oaks is 2 1/2 hours if I drive slow and Armada is 6 hours plus an hour time change. We prefer to get to a comp site by noon so we can be set up and be ready to start prep on schedule. That would mean leaving home at 4am or leaving the night before, which isn't always possible with my wife's schedule.

[sfisch]

As an Indiana boy, I'd like to remind all you Michigan folks that this is not the Michigan BBQ Association. Out of staters get confused when you call it GLBBQA. It's in the name.but it's more like the Detroit/Flint bbq assocation at times.

So Brian,
with all due respect, how can you help us get the word out to people outside the " Detroit/Flint " area that when the assn was formed, we literally took the words Great Lakes to mean any state that borders any of the great lakes. We have begun conversation with our friends in Canada to create an bbq friendly atmosphere and would love nothing more than increase membership of Great Lakes area teams.
Would you like to volunteer to be part of the membership committee?


Oh and to stay thread friendly, I agree with Troy that its good to see choices of comps becoming available, obviously that means more comps and events but it does have its down side. Still think comp organizers need to get together more. The Fair Oaks contest looks really good, glad some of you will be going there to report back.

Thanks
Scott

[SweetRacks&SmokinButts]

I know for me it was a combination of things. It's only about an hour and half south of my work office and with it being the weekend after Westmont, we can store our BBQ gear at the office for the week.

The prize pool is definitely a factor as well. Not that we get consistent calls :o

Plus I figured I'd get away from you guys and might have a better shot ;)

I feel a bit guilty for going out of state for a comp when there is one in state the same weekend and it may happen again if GR actually does have a comp this year. That one has less to do with Grand Rapids and more to do with the incredible people with the New Palestine Lions. We plan on adding another Michigan comp to our schedule this year making it 4 in state and 4 out of state. All 4 out of state I consider being a part of the Great Lakes Region It would be great to get a bunch of new members from our neighboring states (I know easier said than done) and possibly including those neighboring states in the TOY, making it a more regional event.

[SweetRacks&SmokinButts]

I had meant to include this as well:

Founded in 2007 the Great Lakes Barbecue Association was formed to promote Barbecue, grilling and all forms of outdoor cooking, not only here in our home state of Michigan, but throughout the entire Great Lakes region. It is our goal to sponsor cooking seminars and other events where our members, their families, business partners and the public can get together to exchange ideas and information, share tips and recipes, or that secret ingredient.”