VIPit
Step behind the smoke and into the heart of championship barbecue with the VIPit Experience – a one-of-a-kind adventure for true BBQ lovers.
This exclusive package is designed to give you unmatched access, unforgettable flavors, and insider moments you can’t find anywhere else.
Wednesday, May 13
5:00 pm: Meet in VIPit Hospitality
5:30 pm: Lighting of the Grill Ceremony on Cattlemen’s Stage
6:00 pm: Welcome by Frank and Mary Horner, Hosts, Introduce Pitmaster
6:00 pm: Food offering
6:30 pm: Sauce Wrestling
Thursday, May 14
Noon: Meet in VIPit Hospitality
Welcome by Hosts Frank and Mary Horner
Distribute goody bags
12:45 pm: Depart to meet with Teams Round 1 – 4 different groups rotating
Bubba Grills (H-313) Group 1
Willingham’s (S-217) Group 2
Crosstown Neighborhood BBQ (S-205) Group 3
Lillie’s Q (S-225) Group 4
1:00 pm: Meet Team and Eat Barbecue
1:45 pm: Depart to meet with Teams Round 2
Willingham’s (S-217) Group 1
Crosstown Neighborhood BBQ (S-205) Group 2
Lillie’s Q (S-225) Group 3
Bubba Grills (H-313) Group 4
2:00 pm: Meet Team and Eat Barbecue
2:45 pm: Depart to VIPit Hospitality
4:00 pm: Watch Open Fire World Championship Finals
4:00 pm: Flava Faceoff on Cattlemen’s Main Stage
5:00 pm: Flava Faceoff on Cattlemen’s Main Stage
5:30 pm: Meet and Greet with Heath Riles, Heath Riles BBQ
Meet and Greet with Chris Lilly, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
6:00 pm: Ms. Piggy Idol on Cattlemen’s Main Stage
6:30 pm: Food Offering
7:00 pm: Awards Ceremony on Cattlemen’s Stage
8:30 pm: Live Entertainment on Cattlemen’s Stage
Friday, May 15
Noon: Meet in VIPit Hospitality
Welcome by Hosts Frank and Mary Horner
Distribute goody bags
12:45 pm: Depart to meet with Teams Round 1 – 4 different groups rotating
Blues Hog (H-315) Group 1
Russell’s Dam Good BBQ (R-045) Group 2
SmokeMasters (H-338) Group 3
Darkside of the Gator MAC (H-302) Group 4
1:00 pm: Meet Team and Eat Barbecue
1:45 pm: Depart to meet with Teams Round 2
Russell’s Dam Good BBQ (R-045) Group 1
SmokeMasters (H-338) Group 2
Darkside of the Gator MAC (H-302) Group 3
Blues Hog (H-315) Group 4
2:00 pm: Meet Team and Eat Barbecue
2:45 pm: Depart to VIPit Hospitality
4:00 pm: Flava Faceoff on Cattlemen’s Main Stage
4:00 pm: Meet and Greet with Myron Mixon, Jack’s Old South
4:30 pm: Meet and Greet with Brad Orrison and Brooke Lewis, The Shed
5:00 pm: Flava Faceoff on Cattlemen’s Main Stage
6:00 pm: Rib Rumble on Cattlemen’s Main Stage
6:30 pm: Food Offering
7:00 pm: Awards Ceremony on Cattlemen’s Stage
8:30 pm: Live Entertainment on Cattlemen’s Stage
Saturday, May 16
10:30 am: Meet in VIPit Hospitality
11:00 am: Steak and Eggs/Bloody Mary and Mimosa
12:30 pm: BBQ Judging Class by Certified Judge Ron Childers
1:30 pm: Depart for Blind Judging in Judges HQ
2:00 pm: Depart for VIPit Hospitality – Eat Blind Judging Samples
3:00 pm: Meet and Greet with Rasheed Philips, Philips Barbecue Co.
4:00 pm: Flava Faceoff on Cattlemen’s Main Stage
5:00 pm: Flava Faceoff on Cattlemen’s Main Stage
5:00 pm: Food Offering
6:00 pm: Rib Rumble on Cattlemen’s Stage
7:00 pm: Awards Ceremony on Cattlemen’s Stage
8:30 pm: Live Entertainment on Cattlemen’s Stage