*all new items are in red
1. CHECK-IN TIMES
Check-in to the BBQ Cook-off Grounds is as follows:
Wednesday, May 13th: 5:00 p.m. until dark (pickup of registration material on Thursday)
Thursday, May 14th: 12:00 NOON through 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 15th: 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, May 14th TO COMPETE IN THE COOK-OFF. Please contact us if you are delayed!
Upon registration you will receive a packet containing the following information: Two (2) parking passes,
a Cook-off Time Line, a Fair Brochure and Five (5) Arm Bands for the two day admission to the Fair Grounds.
IMPORTANT: Entry fees include the use of utilities beginning on Thursday, May 13th. Teams who want to hook up their utilities
for use prior to May 13th must state this upon sending in their registration form and include an additional $20 per night charge (per space) along with their entry fee!
REMINDER: MEAT INSPECTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY FROM NOON THROUGH 8 P.M. & FRIDAY FROM 7 A.M. UNTIL 2 P.M.
2. JUDGING TIMES AND PRIZES
A turn-in window of ten (10) minutes before and after the set turn-in time will be recognized. Judging trays received after that time will not be accepted.
In the event of a tie for Grand Champion BBQ Team, the BRISKET will be the first tiebreaker, followed by ribs, then chicken.
3. RULES
The Charcoal Challenge on May 15th, 2010 is an IBCA sanctioned event. Any discrepancies between the IBCA rules and the Charcoal Challenge rules will be addressed at the Chief Cook’s Meeting scheduled for 8:30 a.m. that morning. Any concerns or questions by contestants will be addressed also at that time. Turn-in amounts will be confirmed accordingly.
4. JACKPOT BEAN CONTEST
5. JACKPOT OPEN CONTEST
The JackPot Open Contest is open to all Cook-off teams and will be held on Friday, May 14th at 5:30 p.m. at the Judge’s Tent. Entry fee is $10.00. CONTESTANTS must come to the Judge’s Tent between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. to pay entry fees and pickup containers. The “contest dish” may
be any meat and/or vegetable dish cooked on a pit or grill – from rattlesnake to prime rib to cabbage, lobster, shrimp, or any other meat or vegetable dishes! No desserts or breads permitted. More than one “contest dish” may be entered with an additional fee of $10.00 per entry. Cooking may begin after
arriving on the Cook-off Grounds. (See Exhibit A for a list of prizes and announcement of winners.) Prizes awarded to TOP TEN WINNERS. Cash prizes are based on the number of entries which determines the total amount of the JackPot. Entry should be brought to Judge’s tent at 5:30 p.m. for check-in and judging. All decisions of the Judges are final.
6. JACKPOT DESSERT COMPETITION
The JackPot Dessert Competition is open to all Cook-off teams and will be held on Friday, May 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Judge’s Tent. Entry fee is $10.00. CONTESTANTS must come to the Judge’s Tent between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. to pay entry fees and pickup containers. The JackPot Dessert “contest dish” includes desserts and/or breads and can consist of such entries as cobblers, cakes, breads and anything in between. Questions regarding entries are welcomed. The dish must be prepared on-site and cooked on the pit or grill with the appropriate container. Same cooking rules apply as those for the JackPot Bean and JackPot Open. More than one “contest dish” may be entered with an additional fee of $10.00 per entry. Cooking may begin after arriving on the Cook-off Grounds. (See Exhibit A for a list of prizes and announcement of winners.) Prizes awarded to TOP TEN WINNERS. Cash prizes a
re based on the number of entries which determines the total amount of the JackPot. Entry should be brought to Judge’s tent at 7:00 p.m. for check-in and judging. All decisions of the Judges are final.
7. JACKPOT BLOODY MARY CONTEST
The JackPot Bloody Mary Contest will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 10:00 a.m. in the Judge’s Tent. Entry fee is $10.00 and payable upon delivery
of entry to Judge’s Tent. NEW for 2010: CONTESTANTS must come to the Judge's Tent @ 9:30 a.m. to pay entry fee and pickup a container. Showmanship has been discontinued for this contest. Entries will be judged on taste only. Only VODKA will be permitted as the alcohol ingredient. May use pre-mixed juices. Regular spices only. Bring entry to Judge’s tent for check-in and judging. Prizes and Trophies awarded to the TOP THREE WINNERS. Winners will be announced at 12:00 NOON (See Exhibit B). Cash prizes are based on the number of entries which determines the total amount of the JackPot. All decisions of the Judges are final.
8. JUNIOR DIVISION COOK-OFF
The Junior Division Cook-off will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 11:00 a.m. in the Judge’s Tent. Contestants are required to have a parent or guardian
who is a participant in the sanctioned cook-off. Contestants can register and pickup their containers at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Judge’s Tent.
Winners will be announced at 1:00 p.m. The division will consist of two categories including the Pork Chop Flop & Mop and the Small Fry Burger Burn. NO ENTRY FEE TO PARTICIPATE. (See Exhibit B for prizes.) The two categories are as follows:
· The Pork Chop Flop & Mop is open to youth ages 7 thru 12 years. Open to the first 35 registrants only.
A team consists of a maximum of TWO (2) COOKS. Contestants will grill a pork chop of their choice (not provided by Charcoal Challenge Committee) that is no more than 1” thick. The pork chop must be cooked on the pit or grill on site. Trophies will be given to the TOP THREE WINNERS.
All contestants will receive participation ribbons.
· The Small Fry Burger Burn includes ages 6 years and under. Open to the first 35 registrants only. Contestants will grill a hamburger patty that will be provided with a container and picked up at the main tent at 9:30 a.m. The patty must be cooked on a pit or grill on site. Trophies will be given to ALL contestants. Hamburger patties will be provided by Charcoal Challenge Committee.
9. CHICKEN
The Chicken Cook-off Contest will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 11:00 a.m. at the Judge’s tent (See Exhibit B for announcement of winners). Each team will be given a container with a secret number to put the contest chicken in. The chicken may be cooked however you want as long as it is cooked on the pit or grill. Place one half of chicken in the container (fully jointed to include breast, wing, thigh & leg). NO CORNISH HENS. Based on the number of cooks, turn-in quantities are subject to change. Entry should be brought to the Judge’s Tent at 11:00 a.m. (See Exhibit C for prizes.) All decisions of the Judges are final.
10. PORK SPARE RIBS
The Pork Spare Ribs Cook-off will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 1:00 p.m. at the Judge’s tent (See Exhibit B for announcement of winners).
Only Pork Spare Ribs will be accepted for judging. NO BABY BACK RIBS. Each team will be given a container with a secret number to put the
contest ribs in. The ribs may be cooked however you want as long as they are cooked on the pit or grill. Seven (7) whole ribs should be placed in the container for judging. Based on the number of cooks, turn-in quantities are subject to change. Entry should be brought to the Judge’s tent at 1:00 p.m.
(See Exhibit C for prizes.) All decisions of the Judges are final.
11. BRISKET
The Brisket Cook-off will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 3:00 p.m. at the Judge’s tent (See Exhibit B for announcement of winners). Pre-cooked, pre-salted, pre-marinated, or pre-anything meat is not allowed. NO SAUCE ON OR WITH THE MEAT AND NO PUDDLING AT TURN-IN. Each team will
be given a container with a secret number to put the contest brisket in. Seven (7) slices of brisket cut no wider than a pencil should be placed in the container for judging. Based on the number of cooks, turn-in quantities are subject to change. Entry should be brought to the Judge’s tent at 3:00 p.m. (See Exhibit C for prizes.) All decisions of the Judges are final.
12. LEE COUNTY GO TEXAN PARTICIPATION
Teams wanting to be considered for Go Texan participation MUST register THE Chief Cook whose primary residence is in Lee County.
Reminder: The Chief Cook must have a picture ID (i.e. Driver’s License or Passport or other Government Issued Identification) to prove your residence.
The Chief Cook must be the Chief Cook named for Charcoal Challenge. Teams may sign up on Friday, May 14th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Judge’s Tent. NO ADDITIONAL ENTRY FEE. Registration forms in discrepancy will be result in team disqualification. The winner will be the team with the highest overall points in the IBCA categories, who has agreed to cook in Houston in 2010 and meets the Chief Cook requirements. The Go Texan Winner will be announced immediately following the announcement of the Charcoal Challenge Grand Champion .All decisions of the Judges are final.
Contact Kathy Kalbas or James Mitschke for any questions concerning participation.
13. COOLEST PIT AWARDS
The awards given to the Cook-off teams displaying the MOST UNIQUE BBQ PIT (See Exhibit C). The TOP THREE WINNERS will be named when
the Cook-off winners are announced on Saturday (See Exhibit B).
14. HOSPITALITY AWARDS
The awards given to the Cook-off teams selected as the friendliest that is cordial, welcoming and entertaining (See Exhibit C). The TOP THREE WINNERS will be named when the Cook-off winners are announced on Saturday (See Exhibit B).
15. PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
A voluntary event in which each team is issued a donation jar for their cook-off site in order to collect money which goes directly to the Scholarship Fund for the Lee County Fair & Rodeo. Prizes will be awarded to the TOP THREE WINNERS as follows: the team collecting the MOST MONEY will be awarded
a First Place Trophy and a Banner. The Second Place and Third Place teams will each be awarded a Trophy. We encourage everyone to participate in this event and show their support for our local Youth Fair Board Members. Money will be collected and counted at 9:00 p.m. on Friday night with receipts provided to the teams. On Saturday, all money jars will be collected beginning at 3:00 p.m. Winners will be revealed when the cook-off winners are announced on Saturday.
16. UTILITIES
Utility hookups are as follows: spaces 1 thru 24 and 75 thru 83 have ONE 30 AMP circuit each with individual water hookup; spaces 25 thru 74 will share ONE 30 AMP circuit with another team with individual water. If you require more amps, please bring a generator to support your electrical needs. Spaces A-H, J-L & X-Z will NOT have utilities. RVs may be moved in beginning on Wednesday, May 12th REMEMBER, AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF $20 PER NIGHT WILL BE PAYABLE FOR HOOKUP AND USE OF UTILITIES PRIOR TO MAY 13TH. Teams wanting to have their RV waste reservoir emptied should register & pay on Friday. Details for times will be provided at check in time!
17. SPACES
Spaces 1 thru 24 are 35’x40’. Spaces 25 thru 74 are 30’x30’. Spaces 75 thru 83 are 32’x50’. Spaces A thru H, J thru L and X thru Z are 30’x30’.
Vehicle equipment and props for each team must be within your allocated space. RVs may be moved in beginning on Wednesday, May 12th
18. SOUND EQUIPMENT – LIVE MUSIC
With respect to all cookers, QUIET TIME WILL BE OBSERVED EACH NIGHT FROM 1:00 A.M. TO 6:30 A.M. Sound equipment, stereos, speakers, live bands, etc. which are set up within your area is permissible. HOWEVER, ANYTIME THE EVENT STAGE IS OCCUPIED
FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS, SCHEDULED ENTERTAINMENT, CONTEST, ETC. ALL SOUND EQUIPMENT MUST BE TURNED OFF OR DOWN TO A LOWER VOLUME SO AS TO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE EVENT STAGE. Any team whose music or noise volume disturbs neighboring teams will be asked to cooperate by lowering the volume. We are all here to have a good time, but please be considerate of others.
The last thing the Cook-off Committee would want to do is to disqualify someone for being uncooperative. This, of course, is a last resort.
19. PARKING
Each team will be provided with two parking passes (located in the registration packet). Vehicles without a parking pass will not be allowed to park
in the contestant parking area. The Lee County Fair Association requires that RV trailers (pull type or motorized) only be allowed within each team’s contest area. No pickups, trucks, cars, etc. will be allowed in the contest area. We have extra contestant parking and we will be glad to valet park your vehicle outside the contest area after you have unhitched or unloaded. No gators, 3 or 4-wheelers or golf carts are allowed within the Fairgrounds. Exceptions will be made for our cookers with disabilities & special needs. Due to the policy of the Lee County Fair Association, use of mobility aids or other motorized devices (i.e. golf carts) will be restricted to cooks with disabilities alone and such use must occur within the confines of the cook-off area only.
NO PASSENGERS. No unlicensed drivers will be permitted to operate mobility aids including no unlicensed driver under the age of 16. Strict adherence to this policy will be enforced and voluntary cooperation is encouraged. Non-compliance will be considered an abuse of this policy and will result in the banning
of the use of mobility aid. Other uses must be approved prior to Cook-off by either Kathy Kalbas or Alma Weiser. FOUR PARKING SPACES ARE DESIGNATED FOR OUR SPECIAL NEEDS TEAMS & GUESTS. TEAMS NEEDING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE MAY NOTIFY A CHARCOAL CHALLENGE COMMITTEE MEMBER TO ARRANGE PICKUP IN CHARCOAL CHALLENGE DESIGNATED PARKING. ADDITIONAL PARKING IS LOCATED IN GENERAL PARKING OF THE FAIR.
20. PIT BOSS
Each team will be assigned a Pit Boss to serve as your host or hostess.
21. RESTROOMS
22. ICE & DRINKS
Ice will be sold in the cook-off area. The Pit Boss crew will assist you with obtaining ice.
23. BEER AND ALCOHOL
Contestants may not sell beer or alcohol to the general public. NO GLASS CONTAINERS ALLOWED --- CANNED OR PLASTIC CONTAINERS ONLY! NEW: NO OPEN CONTAINERS WILL BE PERMITTED TO BE BROUGHT IN OR TAKEN OUTSIDE OF THE TICKET GATES. Contestants may not charge admission to a party where alcohol is served nor require donations for alcohol. Each Team must monitor its own area when it pertains to minors. REMEMBER: MINORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CONSUME OR BE IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT ANY TIME. ALL COOLERS MUST REMAIN WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE COOK-OFF AREA OR THEY WILL BE CONFISCATED BY CHARCOAL CHALLENGE REPRESENTATIVES OR FAIR OFFICIALS.
24. DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR
Individuals exhibiting obnoxious or unruly conduct including: cursing, screaming profanity, verbal threatening, fighting or other disruptive behaviors directed
at Charcoal Challenge Committee members, IBCA judges or Fair Board members will be escorted from the cook-off premises by security and prohibited
from participating in future Charcoal Challenge cook-offs. As determined by Fair Board and/or Charcoal Challenge cook-off officials & law enforcement. Offense defined.--A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk
thereof, he/she:
engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior;
makes unreasonable noise;
uses obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or
creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
Does not abide by rules & guidelines of Charcoal Challenge and the Lee County Fair.
The Charcoal Challenge reserves the right to refuse admittance to alumni or any other persons seeking entry to this event.
Additionally, there will be no lewd or inappropriate acts, behavior or events allowed on the grounds of the BBQ cook-off by cookers, guest, staff, etc. Any cookers found participating in or allowing inappropriate activities in their ten6t area will be disqualified from the cook-off, the team's event will be shut down and the team involved will be removed from the premises immediately and not allowed to participate in future Charcoal Challenge cook-offs.
25. GARBAGE
Each team will have ONE 55 GALLON LINED DRUM. Please help us keep your area clean. If your trash is full, pull it out and we will pick it up and replace the liner. We supply the garbage bags. The Pit boss crew will assist you.
26. END OF COMPETITION
The Charcoal Challenge is concluded following the announcement of winners on May 15th. Teams may “breakdown” and leave the area until 10:00 p.m. following the announcement of the winners and the Grand Champion has been named. However, you are invited to stay and enjoy other events and the featured entertainment at the fair. You may also return Sunday morning, May 16th between 8:00 and 12:00 NOON to pack up. Please have your
area clean and cleared by no later than 12:00 NOON on SUNDAY, May 16th.
NOTE TO ALL TEAMS: The CC typically invites the teams who have cooked in the 2010 competition to return as alumni in 2011. However, the CC reserves this right as ultimate. All address changes are the sole responsibility of the cook-off teams and needed for following year invites.
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN CHARCOAL CHALLENGE AT THE LEE COUNTY FAIR & RODEO.
PLEASE CONTACT KATHY KALBAS @ 979.366.2232 OR ALMA WEISER @ 979.716.4569 SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION OR CONCERNS.