Party Safe! 2017 Guide to @MemphisInMay #BBQFEST #WCBCC17 #901Law

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It’s BBQ time in Tennessee: Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is May 17-20, 2017 and I can already smell the smoke in the air – or is that the Beale Street Music Fest?! While the Memphis Grizzlies are done grit grinding for the season, soon my team Uncle Murle’s BBQ R-036 will be hard at work getting the rig cleaned & loaded, flooring installed, and tent built down at Tom Lee Park. BBQ Fest is a lot of hard work for teams, but the payoff is a week of great food, fun and meeting new friends.

If you’re new to Memphis, BBQ fest or just visiting for the week: Visit the new Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid or enjoy a meal at a Downtown BBQ joint like Central BBQ or The Rendezvous so you don’t arrive at the festival too hungry. Get to the park early each day, walk around, say hello and meet the teams. Many teams are sponsored by local businesses that want you as a customer.

Here’s my guide to enjoying BBQ fest:

Check out the Entertainment schedule: Big Hog Run and Sauce Wrestling on Wednesday night, Miss Piggy Idol contest on Thursday night, and bands each night too on the Main Stage – Coolio!
Free Admission at Lunchtime: 11 am to 1 pm on Thursday and Friday, this is a good time to walk around and meet people. Avoid Friday and Saturday daytime judging hours: 11 am to 4 pm. General Admission Tickets are available for single-entry or 4 day pass plus processing fee online or $10 single-entry at the north-end Beale Street and South Bluff south-end entrances ONLY (not in the middle at Bluff gate.)
For Health Code restrictions, teams are not allowed to sell food from their team tents. Eat at a Downtown BBQ joint or find a local Food Truck; On Thursdays, 4+ trucks congregate in Court Square from about 11 am-2 pm or find them on Twitter.
NEW for 2017: BBQ Alley – Purchase tickets online for sessions on Thursday, May 18 from 2-6 pm, Friday, May 19 from 2-6 pm, Saturday, May 20 from 11 am-3 pm to enjoy barbecue and sides from Big Green Egg and Friends.
Learn to grill like the champions, Sign up on site for the Camping World Cooker Caravan with two tours leaving every hour Thursday: 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm and Friday: 12:30, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm.
Check out the Downtown Parking Map: there is no event parking. Get a MATA Trolley pass, use my promo code uber901law for free ride up to $20 or get a taxi: Cheaper than a DUI. UBER may have a PICK-UP / DROP-OFF ZONE
Park closes at 11 pm on Wednesday, Midnight on Thursday and Friday, and 10pm on Saturday: Anyone without a 24-Hour wristband will be removed from park.
Bring a VALID photo ID and cash in singles and small bills. You can’t buy food from teams, but you can tip the teams for hospitality and make donations.
Dress for the weather, dirt, walking and the cooking heat – you will be walking a mile from one end of the park to the other – 10,000 steps! Bug spray and sunscreen required. Hydrate or YOU WILL GET SICK. Mind the the rules: check out the BBQ FAQ and KEEP IT FAMILY FRIENDLY.
MPD will be trolling, mornings at 201 Poplar (Shelby County Jail and Criminal Courthouse) are full of people who had too much fun at BBQ Fest. Be safe and have fun, but don’t get too crazy. Don’t be the like the swimmers… but… you have rights. Know them. [INFOGRAPHIC]

Miss Attorney Ma'am