Thank you to each of the judges who signed up to participate in the Ridge Spring Harvest Festival and BBQ Battle for the Ridge on October 13. The Harvest Festival is in its 37th year and this year they have included a second annual SCBA BBQ sanction event titled “BBQ Battle for the Ridge”. We will be judging in Ridge Spring Fire Department Building located at 201 Green Street, Ridge Spring, SC 29129. There will be parking on Oak Street between the trees next to the railroad track and in the median of the divided Green Street. For you that will be coming into Ridge Spring on Hwy. 23, Main Street will be blocked off: from Monetta you will need to turn left on Watson St. cross the railroad tracks turn right on Oak St.; those who will be coming from Saluda or Johnston turn right on Dubose Street cross railroad tracks turn left on Oak St. Follow the judging signs. There are 20 teams cooking in this event.
Official turn-in for Butts is 10:00 am and Ribs is 11:00 am.
We will start our Judge’s meeting at 9:00 am so please be signed in by then. Please note that we have assigned judges to specific tables to insure an equal distribution of Master, Senior, and Certified judges at each table. You will find your table assignment on the sign-in sheet. Other than the ones who stated so on the sign-up page, I need to know if any of you will be receiving aprons (4th Novice event) or advancing to Senior or Master Judge so I can have the proper supplies.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
1. If any of you have a family member that is cooking with a team at the Ridge Spring event, I need to remind you that you will not be able to judge in this event. We do have other duties that you can do. Let me know if any of you fit into this category.
2. ABSOLUTELY “No talking, discussion of the tasting that is being done between the judges” until all scores have been tallied and verified. No pictures of the sample boxes will be taken. The table captain will facilitate and let everyone at their table know when the BBQ is open for discussion!
3. No fraternizing with the cookers prior to judging. After judging is completed, you are encouraged to visit the cook sites. But PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS what you tasted at the table or any scores with the cooks. Awards will be at 2:00 PM at the Gazebo. I encourage you to stay for the awards and enjoy the festival.

Lastly, I count on each of you to be there if you signed up for this event. We all know that our schedules change from time to time and if this happens, I kindly ask that you notify me so that I know how to prepare appropriately. I am looking forward to seeing each of you at the Ridge Spring event.

Marshal: Steve Meadows, 803-360-4971 steve.meadows2@aol.com
Ass. Marshal: Harold Chandler, 803-468-3284, hcssc@ffc-i.net