VIP was $45, if you didn't get VIP you were not having a good time. People complained constantly and there were people in line waiting to get a refund.
I guess a good amount of vendors but if you paid $35 to get in just to see a sub-par vendor "show room" you'd be disappointed. If you didn't have big bucks you were pretty much out of luck. We met the maker of
BBQ Buddha Ray Sheehan [check link]. Very down to earth guy, he just won a bunch of awards so I congratulated him and he was very humble and down to earth. Plus his BBQ sauce was amazing. I bought it and used it within a week, yes I have issues with BBQ. We sat around and waited for the VIP treatment. What that entailed was going outside to the 40 plus BBQ competitors and eating their food. No extra cost, just walk up to their food trucks/smoker and eat their foods they prepared for the judging. And eat their food we did.
I never been to an event like this. I guess they're pretty much all the same because Im telling you there were some serious season vets at this place. I just want to say, I had no issue eating my $45 dollars worth of BBQ that day. They just piled it on, it was all you can eat and it was all pretty amazing. I dont think I enjoyed two things out of all the competitors.
Parking was a major rip off and they actually charged tax. I told the attendant "I dont think thats legal" and he said "All the casinos are doing it now". I was hacked because they were the ONLY ones doing it. Next door at the HardRock $10 flat fee. Buzzkill
They're coming back again next year, not sure if I'll go again. Honestly though, who am I kidding, Im going to guarantee I'll be there, Im seasoned now!! [cooking pun intended]
