BBQ Events: The Harpoon Championship of New England Barbecue

I've never cut and paste a press release into the blog before, but I don't see any need to rewrite this. The Harpoon Championship of New England Barbecue is one of my favorite events, but unfortutnately I'm unable to attend this year. If you are say within a 3 hour drive of Windsor, VT - you need to check this out.

Here's the scoop...

Ssooooooooooooooooooooooooooeeeeyyyy! Come'n get it! Tie on your bibs, pack up your handy wipes, and head to our Windsor brewery for the 9th annual Harpoon Championships of New England Barbecue! You don't even know what finger-licking good is until you've been to this festival....or spilled some Harpoon IPA on your hands. This email and our website are your one-stop-shop for everything about this weekend's BBQ Festival!

BEER. BBQ. BANDS.

This is a festival unlike any other - 42 competitive barbecue teams from all over New England slow cooking meat for hours upon hours - at our brewery in Windsor, VT. And there's Harpoon beer....lots and lots of Harpoon beer. The festival, which will also feature live local bands, the Strongman exhibition, BBQ University, and brewer-led brewery tours, will be held this Saturday and Sunday.

And don't forget, the festival is very family-friendly.

Here are the details:

WHAT:	The 9th Annual Harpoon Championships of New England Barbecue
WHEN:	Saturday, July 25 from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm (entrance closes at 6:30 pm) Sunday, July 26 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm (entrance closes at 3:30 pm) Rain or shine (weather forecast)
WHERE:	The Harpoon Brewery 336 Ruth Carney Drive Windsor, VT 05089 (map/directions)
WHAT ELSE:	Door charge is $10.00 per person. This admission fee includes a Harpoon beer or Harpoon soda. It does not include food. Complimentary admission for children under 12 if accompanied by an adult.

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ABOUT THE BBQ COMPETITION:
On Saturday, Officials certified by the Kansas City Barbecue Society judge barbecue in four different categories: chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket. The judging starts at 12 noon on July 25 and is followed by a 4:00 pm award ceremony, where the Harpoon New England Grand Champion will be announced. This Grand Champion qualifies for the nation's ultimate barbecue competition, the Kansas City Royal. Some of the BBQ teams will be selling a wide variety of hot delicious BBQ.

On Sunday, the event shifts to the Harpoon Summer Sizzler BBQ Competition, where competing teams will submit entries in four different categories: fish, lamb, beef, and Chef's Choice with Harpoon beer. KCBS-certified judges will again determine the champion. The 2008 Harpoon Summer Sizzler Champion All Q'd Up will be back this year to defend their crown.

SUNDAY FRIEND OF HARPOON SPECIAL
Present your Friend of Harpoon Card at the entrance on Sunday of the BBQ Championships and receive TWO for ONE admission! You must have your Friend of Harpoon card and your guest with you when you pay for your admission to get this deal. You and your guest will both receive admission and a beer/soda ticket for the price of one admission. Sunday ONLY!

FRESH BEER, GREAT BBQ, AND LIVE BANDS! SOUNDS GOOD - WHAT ELSE?

• In-depth Brewery tours hosted by the Harpoon Brewers
• Learn how to make great BBQ in your own backyard at Barbecue University
• The Strongman Exhibition!
• Specialty food and craft vendors
• LIVE MUSIC - check out the band lineup and competition schedule
• Clowns and Face painting (Sunday only)
• Cash bars serving a selection of fresh Harpoon and UFO beer for $4.25 a pint
• Help us pick a winner in the Toyota Best Booth Competition
  You (and all of the other visitors to the Harpoon Championships) will get to place your vote to determine the winner of the Best Booth Competition, sponsored by White River Toyota . Your mission is to check out all of the BBQ team booths and tell us which one you like the most. You can choose your favorite theme, your favorite logo, or your favorite decorations....any way you want to decide, just tell us your favorite. Very simple. The BBQ Team that gets the most votes will win $500.
  The winner will be announced during the Awards Ceremony on Sunday afternoon at 4 PM.
• Guess The Payload in the back of the Toyota from White River Toyota and win a lunch for four in the Harpoon Beer Garden! Stop by the Toyota Tundra with filled kegs of Harpoon in the middle of the festival grounds to complete your entry form. Good luck!
• DOGS: Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed at all times. Bring a pooper scooper and/or bag. Harpoon reserves the right at any time to ask that a dog and its owner leave the event if the dog in not leashed, cleaned up after, or misbehaving.
• Not sure what you are missing - more details about the festival and photos from last year's festival
• Need a place to stay? local campgrounds and accommodations

The event will be held rain or shine (if anyone has any say over the matter, we'd prefer shine, please). Tickets are not sold in advance. Visit our web site for the band schedule and directions to the Brewery.

We will throw open the gates at 12 noon on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 for the most finger-licking, thirst-quenching event of the entire summer. Hope to see you this weekend!

Cheers,

Your Friends at Harpoon