Louisville Blues & BBQ Festival

I have never been to this before and was thinking of checking it out this weekend. Has anyone ever been before and if so how is the food?

It sounds like the BBQ will be provided by Fireside and The Q.

Does anyone know if you're allowed to purchase from the competitors? It seems to me that most BBQ festivals don't allow you to purchase meat from competitors, and if my assumption is correct, does anyone know of a festival without that restriction? Personally I find it difficult to get behind an event where tantalizing food is being cooked by dozens of chefs and you're not allowed to try any of it. Combine that with the inability to second-guess the judges because you haven't sampled any of the entries, and the whole situation just seems rather cruel to me.

It sounds like the BBQ will be provided by Fireside and The Q.

Does anyone know if you're allowed to purchase from the competitors? It seems to me that most BBQ festivals don't allow you to purchase meat from competitors, and if my assumption is correct, does anyone know of a festival without that restriction? Personally I find it difficult to get behind an event where tantalizing food is being cooked by dozens of chefs and you're not allowed to try any of it. Combine that with the inability to second-guess the judges because you haven't sampled any of the entries, and the whole situation just seems rather cruel to me.

We went to this fest a few years ago and it was fun, but it wasn't a BBQ competition. The year we went, they had 3 vendors, I believe, and several local bands. If you're expecting a BBQ fest, don't get your hopes up. We used to love Firefresh when it was Fireside, or whatever it was, but something was lost when they started franchising (let's not go there tho. Please) If I remember correctly, The Q (Cue?) was there the year we were there (06?), and they were very good, but mostly do catering. I could be wrong, so correct me if so. Anyway, it's a good time, but not really a bbq feast. (but I totally agree with the contests providing a mean tease!)