Posted on 05/13/2011 7:45:16 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
MEMPHIS, Tenn (Reuters) – The motto for the 2011 Memphis In May International World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest was "Come Hell or High Water."
Mission accomplished.
The high water came -- nearly 48 feet deep -- washing the contest out of Tom Lee Park next to the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis for the first time in more than 30 years.
But nearly 250 cooking teams turned out anyway with names such as "Pigs Gone Wild," "Notorious P.I.G," "The People's Republic of Swina," and "Not Ready for Swine Time Porkers."
Thousands of spectators came as well, including sisters Kathy Lawson and Mary Rodriguez of Lansing, Michigan.
The sisters heard about the barbecue contest a couple of years ago on The Food Network. This year they decided to make the 750-mile drive, only to see national television news reports last week about flooding in Memphis.
"We were so bummed," said Lawson, a travel agent.
But a few days ago they saw a news spot on CNN in which Memphis Mayor A C Wharton tried to reassure visitors that Memphis was mostly dry and open for business. So the sisters hit the road, and on Friday they were hamming it up outside the city's barbecue-cooking tent.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Memphis in May International Festival
http://www.memphisinmay.org/bbq
Support your local BBQ fest! I try and hit Reno
every few years and sample as much as I can...
You gotta maintain your priorities!
“Notorious P.I.G,” wins funniest team name. Ya’ gotta have a sense of humor when the rains come, otherwise it defeats you.
Strokin’ and Smokin’ - LOL!
I was at the Porkasaurus tent last night.
“...Memphis Mayor A C Wharton tried to reassure visitors that Memphis was mostly dry and open for business.”
I noticed he left out the word “safe” while describing Memphis.
I was there in ‘97 and thought downtown Memphis, with the exception of Beale Street and Mud Island, looked kinda run-down. The area by the National Civil Rights Museum (f/k/a the Lorraine Motel) was kinda cruddy-looking. My then-GF and I saw several cops as we walked two blocks from the trolley to the museum. I think they were a little worried about tourists (like us) getting hassled or robbed in this neighborhood.
But then again, that was back in ‘97. Maybe thney’ve cleaned up the downtown area. OTOH, I hear the rest of Memphis is a crime-ridden pit.
I used to drive through a lot and was nervous just driving through on the interstate.
I’d love to go to Memphis in May but am afraid to.
I’m guessing not many ragheads at the event?
Mr. niteowl77
Bet you didn't see any ragheaded muzzies in the area.
Is that the same Neely’s that have a show on Food Network? They seem like happy couple and their cooking makes me wish I was there
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