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 10. This would have been the Harvest Festival’s 39th year, but due to Covid-19 all the normal activities have been cancelled. This year they are only having the 4th 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 not be blocked off this year. Turn on Green Street by the Gazebo. Follow the judging signs. There are approximately 21 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 promptly at 9:00 am so please be signed in by then as we have a lot to discuss this year due to the Covid-19. 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 advancing to Senior or Master Judge so I can have the proper supplies. Every precaution will be taken for your safety and we will be adhering to the SCBA guidelines for Covid19. I have attached a copy of the SCBA guidelines for your information. Please read as the judging will be much different from in the past.
Note: Due to the openness of the fire house, we will hold the judges meeting inside. Once you sign-in and find your assignment, please take your seat and keep social distancing. Wear face masks and follow the SCBA guidelines that I have attached.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
Make sure your SCBA dues are paid up. You cannot judge in an event if your dues are not current. If you have any questions regarding membership dues contact: membership@scbarbeque.com
Everyone who signs up to attend must provide:
• Required: Your own mask recommend you have 2 or face shield
• Sharpened pencil(s) recommend 2
• You may bring you own hand sanitizer or wipes; we will have these available.
• We will be providing these, but if you wish: You may bring your own water (must be disposable and non-flavored, no other liquid can be used), unsalted crackers or white bread.
• Gloves will be provided where needed.
1. There will not be a grazing table and you will not be allowed to take any barbeque out of the judging building. The event committee will be selling barbeque for $8 a pound in front of the Gazebo, if you would like to buy some to take home.

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. No fraternizing with the cookers prior to judging. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the event committee is asking that you practice social distancing and wear masks if you go into the cooker’s sites. If you were to talk to any of the cookers, PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS what you tasted at the table or any scores with the cooks. If you are interested in staying, awards will be at 12:30 PM at the Gazebo.


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 Asp. 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: Vincent Latten v1535@msn.com