People's Choice Rules & Information

For BBQ Competitors:

We encourage every team to participate in the People's Choice event.  This is a fundraiser for our organization to help us supply scholarships to the children of Bates County.  This is for any team that is competing in the BBQ State Championship to enter, and is free of charge to the team.  There will be 5 places awarded in this category with cash and prizes to be determined at a later time.  Saturday's “People’s Choice” meat (Pork Loin, Butt or Shoulder - Determined at later date) will be provided to each contestant who wishes to participate. All pans and meat will be provided to you when you arrive at the event or at the Cooks Meeting. The turn in for this will be between 10:30-10:45 AM at the command booth.  When you turn your pan containing your meat in, we will give it a number that matches your entry.  We will then have volunteers, cut up the meat (if not done by the contestant) and supply the meat to the public for tasting.   Each person who buys a plate for people's choice will be given a plate and a ticket.  They will then put your number on the ticket they choose and place it in the box at the command booth for their vote.  We will count the votes and the winner will be announced at the Awards Ceremony.  Contestants will not need to assist us in the distribution of the meat, we will have a volunteer staff do this from 11:30 AM- 1:30 PM.

For the Public:

The public will once again be able to taste and help choose the winner of the "People's Choice" at the Bates County BBQ State Championship.  This will be a great way for you, the public to taste the very best BBQ around.  People's Choice plates and tickets will be sold from the Command Booth starting at 11:00 AM, with tasting to begin around 11:30 AM and go through 1:30 PM or until the meat is gone.  We will sell the plates at $5.00 each, you MUST have THIS plate in order to get served by the volunteers.  You will also be given ONE (1) ticket to vote for your "People's Choice".  To better prepare you for this event, you should bring at least 1 ink pen, drink, napkins and a big appetite.  You will go through a line and be given a small sample of the meat that was prepared.  You can look at the meats and decide if you even want to try them.  You do NOT have to try every one of the samples if you don't want to.  If it don't look like one that you might like, you can pass it up.  You will be judging on TASTE ONLY, not on looks.  We will have a box at the command booth for you to deposit your ticket in after you write your winning pick on it.  We will only sell a certain amount of plates, so be there on time to ensure your chance to help choose this years "People's Choice" winner of the Bates County BBQ State Championship.  Then stick around and enjoy the event and hear the winner at the awards ceremony.