21st Annual Jack Daniels World Championship BBQ Competition

October 2009

Lynchburg, Tennessee 

All eyes were on the “Jack” draw taking place in Lynchburg, Tennessee on 3 September 2009.  There were 8 chances in California to be picked for the event.  By early afternoon the draw was complete and the California representative chosen was “All Hogs go to Heaven”. Team members consisted of Steve, Vicki, and Vince Madaule, Toni and Ron Hoch, and Ted and Ardith Richardson.  For “All Hogs” it was the realization of a goal established when they began competition 5 years ago. 

Plans were made for the trip to Lynchburg, Tennessee.  Brent Walton volunteered to ride with Steve to the “Jack”, and Ted and Ardith would be driving back as well.  On Thursday morning Steve, Brent, Ted, and Ardith made the 45 minute drive under mostly blue skies from the Manchester KOA to Lynchburg and the Jack Daniels World Championship BBQ competition. 

Brent stated “No visit to Lynchburg is complete without lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s”. We took his advice and experienced a wonderful place to get not only a great home cooked meal but the history of the town.  In fact in his day, Mr Jack Daniel himself was a noon-day regular.  After lunch we experienced the Jack Daniels distillery tour. 

Everyone talks about the weather and the rain that usually falls during this weekend.  Right on cue the rain began on Thursday night and continued into Friday morning.  Luckily it was a warm rain, so in spite of the weather it was manageable, well except for the mud!  Toni and Ron flew into Nashville on Thursday and joined us on Friday afternoon. 

The rain quit and the sun appeared through partly cloudy skies for the 5:00 pm parade around the square on Friday evening.  It was an exciting time to see all of the teams wearing their BBQ team colors and showing their state or country flags.  The California State Flag was donated to All Hogs Go to Heaven by the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, CA.  At the end of the parade route everyone boarded busses to the top of the hill overlooking Lynchburg valley, where dinner was provided to all team members.  It was an outstanding setting in the evening hours with the fireplace going and the sun setting.

Saturday was a busy time preparing the 7 turn-ins beginning with a sauce that had to have Jack Daniels in it and a cook’s choice. Then the 4 meats of chicken, ribs, pull pork, and brisket were next followed by a dessert category.  The two hour awards ceremony took place in a big barn decorated in fall colors.  During the awards All Hogs go to Heaven placed 9^th in brisket, winning a ribbon, BBQ tongs, and a bottle of Jack Daniels.  They placed 26^th overall out of 74 teams made up of the 50 states and international Grand Champions.

This is a once in a life time experience and it was everything we hoped it would be.  We wish to thank the California BBQ Association for all of their support throughout the year.