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The Ohio Smoked Meat & BBQ Festival is one of nearly 300 competitions sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, a nonprofit organization for the promotion and enjoyment of bbq. With 43 teams and $10k in prize money, it sounded like a decent event.
But the main reason I wanted to go was the 2.5 hour sampling period, where festival goers, including myself, could get themselves sick on some brisket and bbq pork sampling.
Unfortunately, I was leaving the previous festival 30 minutes later than I had hoped.
It was not looking good.
I had my fingers crossed as I pulled into Nelsonville, even though it was already 1:50. And although I easily found a parking place down the road from the festival, I kept those fingers crossed…
…and made my way in.
…across from the giant Rocky Outdoor Gear Store…
…where they had a stage set up…
…some souvenirs…
…ice cream…
…and beer.
…as I mistook this vendor for a competitor with samples.
…because as I walked by all the competitor tents and trailers…
…I noticed how quiet and clean they were.
The square in the back was filled with other competitors, but they were packing up.
Some festival goers talked with competitors, but they were no longer being offered free meat.
I should have arrived by 11:30 or earlier and, next year, so should you!
But it wasn’t a complete loss. As I wandered aimlessly, searching for just the tiniest scrap of free pork…