RULES:
The Barbeque Committee reserves the right to reject any application. If your application is not accepted, your money will be refunded. However, no refunds of application fees will be made once you have been accepted into the contest. Any photos taken of your team on-site and responses to publicity questionnaires are the property of Jackson Downtown Development Corporation and can be used for promotional purposes. SPONSORSHIPS In consideration of our event sponsors, only ONE sign of corporate logo identification no larger than 1’ x 5’ and no higher than 8’ off the ground may be displayed. The Barbeque Committee reserves the right to regulate signs.
SAFETY & HEALTH Each contestant must comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Health Department. Local fire and safety laws may prevent the use of any type of gas anywhere on the grounds at any time. Each team MUST have a working fire extinguisher at their site.
The Chief Cook will be held responsible for the conduct of his team and guests. Excessive use of alcoholic beverages will be grounds for disqualification. Any alcoholic beverages provided to a team’s guest must be consumed within team’s cooking area. Under no circumstances are alcoholic beverages to be distributed (given or sold) to the general public by contestants.
Each contestant competing shall provide all their own meat, cooking ingredients, individual cooking devices, utensils, preparation tables, etc. The committee will provide each contestant a regulation cooking team area (20x20). If a larger area is needed, special arrangements may be made upon request. All contestants must adhere to all electrical, fire and other codes of the city, county, State and Federal government. Utility needs must be identified in registration form. There will be water available near the cooking area. Cooking Team areas will be on pavement. No stakes can be driven into the pavement. Fences, if erected, must be free standing. Please plan accordingly.
Motorized vehicles (including golf carts and ATV’s) are prohibited inside the festival.
BBQ GUIDELINES Teams may cook with any type of wood and/or charcoal. Other flammables (propane, compressed or liquid gas, etc.) may be used within the cooker ONLY to START the INITIAL fire. Electrical devices may be used within the cooker as long as they do not directly generate heat. Approved devices include rotisseries, fans, and delivery systems for approved fuels (e.g. Traeger grills).
Barbeque is defined as pork meat (fresh or frozen and uncured) prepared only on a wood and/or charcoal fire, basted or not as the cook sees fit, with any non-poisonous substances and sauces as the cook believes necessary. There will be four categories in the contest: Whole Hog, Pork Shoulder, Pork Ribs and Sauce.
A whole hog entry or 1/2 hog entry is permitted. The ribcage must be connected to the front shoulder & back ham and cooked as one complete unit on one grill surface. No portion or portions of the whole hog or 1/2 hog may be separated prior to or during the cooking process.
A pork shoulder entry is defined as the portion containing the arm bone, shank bone, and a portion of the blade bone. The pork ham considered to be a shoulder entry contains the hind leg bone. Boston butts or picnic shoulders are not valid entries.
A pork rib entry is defined as the portion containing the ribs and further classified as spare rib or loin rib portion. Country style ribs are not a valid entry.
A sauce is defined as a thick liquid that is served to add extra flavor or compliment the BBQ. One pint will be requested for the judging panel.
Meat for the contest may be fresh or frozen. Meat may not be precooked, sauced, injected, marinated, cured in any way, or otherwise pre-treated prior to official meat inspection. Meat must be maintained at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit prior to cooking, and at or above 140 degrees after cooking.
Trash receptacles will be supplied, however, contestants may want to bring additional garbage bags. The Barbeque Committee requests that all contestants cooperate in the disposal of trash into dumpsters and keeping the area clean.
The Barbeque Committee reserves the right to make additional regulations as the situation warrants. Decisions of the Cookin up the Blues Barbeque Committee and judges are final. Violations of Rules and Regulations of the contest may result in disqualification or expulsion from the grounds without refund of application fee and/or disqualification from future participation.
