Before you visit the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, there are some things you will need to know.  We've tried to sum them up for you in the following:

1. This is a competition. Local health regulations prohibit teams from serving barbecue to the general public.  There are barbecue vendors, as well as other food vendors that can sell to the public. 
2. There are two programs for our patrons that allow them to experience the World Championship as a team or judge would:  People's Choice Contest allows John "Que" Public to taste and judge championship barbecue.  In this tent, you will receive 5 samples of barbecue each visit and you  judge your favorite of those five samples.  You may judge as often as you like and the judging fee is $4 per visit.  The Cooker's Caravan takes you on a guided tour of the teams and lets you hear first-hand about the team's passion for pork.  The team's will tell you about their secrets for grilling championship barbecue, show you their rigs and explain the process of cooking at Memphis in May.  There is no charge for the tours and you may tour as often as you like.  The tours are available Thursday and Friday every thirty minutes from 11:30am - 3:30pm.
3. The park is about a mile from end to end.  Wear comfortable shoes!
4. No beverages, bicycles, cans, containers, coolers, food, glass bottles, laser pointers, lawn chairs, oversized umbrellas, pets, roller blades, roller skates, water guns, no thrown objects such as baseballs, footballs, frisbees-etc., or weapons. Food and beverages, including beer, are available from the concessionaires.
5. All packages and purses are subject to inspection.
6. Picture I.D.'s will be required from everyone purchasing alcohol.
7. All food must be purchased with cash. ATM's are available within the Festival site for your convenience.
8. We welcome many out-of-town visitors.  Please let our guest services volunteers know you are our visitor and they will explain all of the rib-tickling entertainment offered.