If you can imagine the greatest collection of fun loving people in the Mid South, then you should visit Tom Lee Park, the site of this year's World Championship Bar-B-Que Festival. I was down for a visit on Tuesday, watching contestants put the finishing touches on their decorative booths.
The almost six inches of rain we've received since May 1st has greatly hampered Memphis In May organizers. I've heard that this is absolutely the worst condition Tom Lee Park has seen for ANY MIM event. The BBQ participants have had to slosh through a mud filled park in order to park or construct their booths. But from what I observed yesterday during my visit, it's turning out quite well.
The Riverside Drive side of Tom Lee Park is slightly higher, thus it is drier. The middle of the park sloping toward the Mississippi River is still very muddy. Event organizers have been busy putting out the sand and trying salvage the valuable booth space. Now that the booths are in place, BBQ participants should be able to weather the storms fine. There are rain chances for the next few days, but hopefully no "gully washers".
I had the opportunity to visit with one BBQ team yesterday made up of members from Blue Cross Blue Shield employees. The chief cook, Henry Smith, has been a contestant for over 20 years. I picked up some good tips from Henry and hopefully my ribs will take a turn for the better. I guess I'll have to give it more than 45 minutes for good ribs!
If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be the folks from Big Bob Gibsons Bar-B-Que in Decatur, AL. When I worked for WHNT-TV in Huntsville from 1987-1994, I lived close to Decatur and was a regular customer of Big Bob's. The "que" was great, but I enjoyed the home made pies almost as much! Little did I know at the time that I'd see my favorite BBQ store in Memphis years later, but they've competed now for about the past 10 years. They've won several awards at MIM including the Grand Championship.
Chris Lilly, the Championship Pit Master for Big Bob Gibsons, was featured on the TODAY SHOW yesterday morning. He has a new book out designed for people like me, featuring all types of BBQ tips. I plan to pick up a copy and start firing up my grill once again. I'm defiinitely NOT a pitmaster of any type, but I do give it my best shot, even though some of my "que" tastes like lighter fluid! After all, it's the thought that counts, right?
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