BBQ and Baseball Tour 2017 Day #9 “WCBCC – Game Called on Account of Rain”

Today was supposed to be day 2 of the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. But before we get to that let me tell you about this amazing hotel at which we have been staying.  At the recommendation of our friends Steve and Becky we decided to forego the Peabody Hotel and their ducks and stay at the River Inn of Harbor Town (50 Harbor Town Square).  The place is lovely.  Our room is very large with the usual comforts that you would expect in a classy hotel.  In addition there are some very nice bonuses.  For example we get a first rate breakfast every morning at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Paulette’s.  This is not a Residence Inn type breakfast but rather a first rate meal including croissants, muffins, freshly squeezed orange juice, choice of eggs (we had omelettes this morning), pancakes or french toast.  Each morning we have fresh bottles of water at our bedside and at night we get a turndown service which brings a carafe of port and chocolates.  I might not be much of a drinker but I sure like chocolate.

After enjoying our breakfast we headed off to Day 2 of the Festival.  We arrived early, as instructed, for Judge check-in and completed the first round of judging.  We were then informed that there was a storm warning and the entire festival was going to be closed and all visitors were to evacuate immediately.  Patrice and I have tremendous respect for locals and their knowledge of their own natural hazards.  In California we know how to deal with earthquakes but this isn’t our home turf so when told to evacuate Patrice and I were at the head of the pack leaving the park.  When we started walking toward cover it began to rain. Actually this was a savior.  It has been so hot and having the water from above to cool us off was a tremendous relief.

When the storm warning had passed it was very late and we had dinner plans with our friends so we were unable to do any further judging.  It was disappointing that we couldn’t judge more but a bit of a relief that we weren’t stuffed and unable to enjoy dinner.  We had  a great evening at dinner (yes more eating), talking with Steve and Becky about old times and meeting their friends Careen and Tom.

Tomorrow is the main event.  In the morning we will have blind judging (we just receive boxes of pork to taste) and in the afternoon we will have on-site judging (where we go to the contestants booths to meet them, learn their techniques and of course taste their pork)