Why You Should Come to Our Festival

I spent some time talking to Kit over at Deguello BBQ, and let me say this time on the phone with him was priceless. I learned a lot from the competitor aspect what they WANT and NEED to make the barbecue competition go smoothly. Unlike some promoters, my husband and I care immensely — we have been food vendors on average of 90 shows a year. We could tell you some horror stories about some promoters. So many times show production companies lose sight of what’s really important: making their vendors, artists, crafters, bands, entertainment, (and competitors happy.) It’s not about US, it’s about YOU.

So here’s some key points we feel are important and have come up with as promoters:

FOR THE COMPETITORS:

A) Clear Details : We know you want to know what you are getting and when. Maps, layout, clear instructions, rules, etc. For instance we just made a small change to the competitor form, so you don’t have to stay until the festival closes Saturday, (we revamped our diagram) so you are able to exit quietly after the results are read Saturday afternoon/evening. Sure, we’d like to have you stay and see all the cool bands we have lined up for Saturday night, but we know you may have to get some well needed shut-eye. We strive for ways to make your life easier.

B) Power and Water : These are essential for making a festival go smoothly and without them you can’t cook.. Luckily for us the Frederick County Fairgrounds is equipped and what they can’t provide we’ll be using generators. On a side note it’s important for us to know exactly what you need so that we have enough juice for everyone. If you need more, tell us ahead of time and we will work out a price and get it for you. (Or, as they say in BBQ-ville we plan to purchase enough juice to run a small mountain town.)

C) Good Reps : I hear that good KCBS reps are essential in making a festival run smoothly. Lucky for us we have Randy and Carol Bigler and we feel very comfortable with them and know they will take good care of US and YOU!

D) The Proclamation: Richard Leight, the Frederick County Fair Manager has requested one from the Governor’s office. Stay tuned as we are waiting anxiously to obtain such a wonderful piece of paper!

E) Respect & Communication : Quite honestly my husband and I have been food vendors at LARGE fairs and festivals for three decades. We’ve catered for famous celebrities. We’ve been lied to, promised the pie in the sky, and know how it is to feel uninformed and taken advantage of. We’ve been to some fairs or festivals that have been so unethical we wonder how they are still going. That is why we vow to do things differently.

TO OUR PATRONS, COMPETITORS, ARTISTS, CRAFTERS, BANDS, SPONSORS and FAMILY:

Know our Goal : Our goal is to put on a good BBQ & MUSIC FESTIVAL for the people of Winchester and the Panhandle area, and do it right. After 30 years of food vending, it’s my husband’s goal to put on a good show. Something that can grow in time and have entertainment for the whole family. We don’t want to do it half-ass, or cheesy, so we are taking a lot of time into the planning process. Our goal is to cover expenses and donate profit money to our charities of choice, (We are working with CancerCare but have been approached by others we may add). On top of this, we want to have a hella-fun-run-smoothly KCBS festival too! Sounds easy right? Well, if you only know how much time has gone into the planning you’d be surprised. Our goal is to have the townspeople of Winchester help us. Help us help you–make our festival a success by telling your friends, family, co-workers to come out and support our cause. Not to mention, if we work together, it may just end up being the second largest event to the Fair!

OPEN COMMUNICATION:

So with that, we encourage OPEN FEEDBACK about what you’ve experienced at BBQ COMPETITIONS or the FAIR that you’ve liked before, or things you have hated. We would love to know! Call my (Cindy) personal cell 410-908-9241 or shoot me an email at BigFatDaddys@verizon.net and give me some suggestions, feedback, etc.