World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

We went to the may 2022 event. We got to the park around 2:30pm we came in threw the main entrance Wich was located in the back. We ask stuff members Wich way we are to go and thay just told us to walk so we started looking for the BBQ alley event because we had tickets for that it was to start at 4pm when we finally found it we was told that it took place earlier in the day because it was raining and the park closed temporay. We was given no refund for our tickets. So we started going to all of the tints and thay where all private and no one was giving out any free BBQ samples so we started looking for something to eat we found the food area and paid for something to eat but there was nowhere to set it was extremely hot and they only had a very small shaded tint to sit under. We was Finally told by other gust that the event really don't kick off until after 8pm but we could no stay that long because we had to get a hotel outside of downtown about 1 hour away so we just left its was fun just to see .

I've lived in Memphis my entire life, and first time going to this particular event. I used to do just the Music Festival, but discontinued that by the time I was 30. To put it in abridged terms, this Festival with Covid-19 still present, was super boring and a waste of money and time. The website was misleading because when I got downtown to find parking, it was extremely limited parking. I barely found parking across from the Hyatt Centric building. The guy doing security allowed me to park there for 3 hrs for 15 bucks and said he'd be there till 11 p.m. so he'd watch my vehicle for me. Once past the check point, you had people with clipboards asking if you wanted to do a survey for free bbq sample. Weird, right? Mind you, we weren't even inside the park yet. It was just so boring and no entertainment whatsoever. Like I said, the website was very misleading because I was under the assumption we could get samples of bbq from different booths, 'cos that's what I read on the website...but that wasn't the case. You had the option, of course, to pay for food at the concession stands in the parking lot which was, of course, very expensive. While standing in line at one of the concession stands, a woman with a clipboard asked me and my boyfriend if we wanted to do a survey for a free sample of bbq. We hesitantly agreed, 'cos we were so confused about everything and came for that reason to sample bbq. The questions right away were very weird - not fitting for this type of event - and made us very uncomfortable. The survey had multiple choices like "who is your favorite basketball player? Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James?" Seemed harmless enough, so we answered. Then one question was, "If you could live in your favorite city, which city would that be? Miami, Chicago, or Memphis?" Again, we answered. A few more questions... I remember us both saying several times that this was really weird out loud, but she kept going. Then she hit us with the most bizarre, way out-of-left-field question..."When you die, where do you believe you will go? Heaven or hell?!?" ....... Okay? I gotta tell ya, that did it. Worst experience ever. Hesitant to go again even if Covid restrictions are lifted Whoever this organization is, they should not have been allowed permission to conduct those type of surveys at an event like this one. What did it have to do with barbeque and festivals?!? It totally killed the vibe for me and my boyfriend. Mind you, he's from Florida and this was his first event in Memphis and he did not enjoy it at all. Same here.

Extremely unorganized. Online ticket purchase went smoothly until we arrived at the contest venue. None of the staff knew where parking was available for parking passes that were purchased online. None of the staff knew where the shuttle bus could be taken to or from the designated parking area. There were no signs to indicate where to park or to enter the venue. The one place where we were able to buy food to eat was absolutely horrible. Most vendors were set up for private parties. We are from Chicago and had no way of knowing what to expect. Complaints to management did net a $40 refund for unusable parking I had to pay $30 cash to park at Christian Bros. I received the refund a couple of weeks later. I will never attend another one!

This festival was totally awesome. people complaining about loud noise next to a sports super complex and industrial train tracks are out of their minds. of course it was loud... but so is every time there's a game at the stadium, or any time that freight train went blaring past with like 70 double-stacked freight cars.

Out of Towner's, came to Memphis especially for BBQ festival and left totally disappointed. We were guest. We paid money to get in festival and no shade from sun! Festival Committee didn't think about guest. It should had been a tent and chairs just for guest to stay cool.

First time going, had an absolute blast! Free, Delicious ribs by the whole slab, party people and lots of music! Great time, will be back!

11 pm fireworks on a school night in a residential area. Not good neighbors.

Best barbecue in the world. Also a hell of a party. I wouldn't listen to the bad reviews as they all sound a bit sensitive.