Online registration is closed.  We are currently filled to capacity.  To be added to the waiting list, send an e-mail with your contact information to bbq@sarodeo.com.

Contestant Information & Registration 

          
The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo conducts the BBQ Cook-off as a fund raiser for the SALE scholarship fund.  Fundraising for other purposes is strictly prohibited.

Beer sales by the case are made possible to teams only with a temporary license from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on the private (team) portion of the contest area from Thursday through Saturday.  This allows quantity purchases at modest prices and proceeds benefit the scholarship fund.  Any beer or wine from outside sources in the facility during that time is in violation of TABC law.

All vehicles and equipment must be inside the team space after load-in.  No vehicles will be allowed into the contest area after 3:00 PM on Friday, and 9:00 AM Saturday.  Golf carts, UTV's and other motorized vehicles are prohibited, except for the official use of San Antonio Stock Show personnel.  Alleys and walkways throughout the event are designated as emergency access, and must remain clear at all times.  Load-out of vehicles and equipment is not permitted until 12:00 AM Sunday.

Film, video, audio, or other recording of the event for commercial purposes is not permitted without the prior written consent of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, d.b.a. San Antonio Livestock Exposition and the Texas Gulf Coast Bar-B-Que Cooking Association retain the right to expand these rules and regulations.

Registration

• Early Registration entry is $350 per space and is due at the time of registration.
  
• Registrations after December 20th will be $400 per space and is due at the time of registration.
  
• Team name and conduct must be appropriate for a family audience.  The first contestant to register a team name will be able to use that name during the contest.
  
• A $25 fee will apply to all declined or NSF payments.
  

Tickets & Parking Passes

• Each TEAM entry will receive a packet approximately 2 weeks before the event that will include:
  
  • 5 wristbands to designate team members
    
  • 10 additional gate tickets
    
  • 4 reserved parking passes
    
• Additional gate tickets ($8 each) and reserved parking passes ($10 each) may be purchased at the time of registration or at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo ticket office.
  

Team Spaces

• Each space is 40' x 40', with one 30 amp duplex outlet. (2 plugs only)
  
• Each team must prominently display their space number.
  
• Team is responsible for temporary toilets, water, trash containers, etc...
  
• RV hookups are not available.
  
• No two-story structures will be permitted.
  
• Bands or Sound Systems must be declared on Registration Form.  Failure to declare music may result in disconnection of power.   The load-in times apply to all band equipment.
  
• Team is responsible for the cleanup of space on Sunday, January 27^th, by 2:00 PM.
  
  • Trash must be placed in dumpsters
    
  • Grease must be disposed of in grease traps
    
  • Coals must be disposed of in designated area
    
• No ground fires or tent stakes are permitted.
  

Team Load-In

• Team and equipment load-in begins on Wednesday, January 23^rd at 9 AM and ends on Friday, January 25^th. 
  
• Vehicles may not ENTER the contest area after 3:00 PM Friday.  Any vehicle not contained within a team space must be removed by 5:00 PM.  
  
• Teams may load in supplies on Saturday morning until 9:00 AM. Gates will not re-open until Sunday at 12:00 AM.
  
• Violators may face disqualification from the contest and participation in any future contest.
  

Beer & Ice

• Beer and Ice sales to the teams will begin on Thursday at 12:00 PM (noon).
  
• Team members must have a wristband to purchase alcoholic beverages.
  
• The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission license does not permit outside beer or wine to be brought into the contest area. 
  
• Under no circumstances are alcoholic beverages to be distributed or sold to minors or the general public.  All state and local laws will be enforced.
  

Jackpot Rules (Friday)

• The jackpot contest provides cash payouts for the top three places in each category. 
  
• Jackpot entries must be purchased at the time of registration for $50 each.
  
• "In The Pot" category is an open pinto bean contest. Beans can be pre-soaked.
  
• "You Pick IT" category is an open meat category that includes any type of meat except a fully jointed half chicken, beef brisket, or pork ribs.
  
• Jackpot inspections will be conducted on Thursday from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Following inspection, containers must be picked up at the Judging tent.
  

BBQ Contest Rules (Saturday)

• The contest is sanctioned by the Texas Gulf Coast BBQ Cookers Association.
  
• A mandatory Chief Cook's meeting will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday in the Judging area.  Trays, numbering, and procedures will be discussed at meeting.
  
• Each team must have its own pit and chief cook.
  
• Meat inspections will be conducted on Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
  
• Ten places will be awarded in each meat category.  (Beef Brisket, Pork Ribs, & Chicken).  Grand and Reserve Grand Champion will be decided based solely on meat categories.
  

Pie Contest  (Saturday)

• Three places will be awarded in each pie category (fruit & pecan).
  
• Pie ingredients must be inspected with meat inspection and cooked on-site in a 9" metal or glass pie pan.  Pans will not be returned.
  

Kash for Kids (Saturday)

• Kash for Kids is an opportunity for the teams to participate in raising funds for the scholarship fund through tips and donations.
  
• The team that raises the most money will be awarded a championship Buckle.  This presentation is not included in the awards ceremony so that the contest may run later into the evening.
  
• Teams raising over $1,000 will be awarded a free space for 2009.
  
• Teams raising over $2,000 will be awarded two free spaces for 2009.
  

Other Events (Saturday)

• Best Pit/Showmanship, judging held 10:00 AM through 3:30 PM.  The winning team will be awarded a banner.
  
• Washer Tournament, 9:00 AM registration, 11 AM start.  The winning team will be awarded a banner.
  
• Bad Boyz of Rodeo, 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM.  Events may include hay hauling, tug-o-war, goat dressing, etc.  The winning team will be awarded a banner.
  
• Vendor Booths (10:00 AM to midnight)
  
• Carnival (10:00 AM to midnight)
  

Awards (Saturday)

• The awards ceremony will be held at the Judging area on Saturday at 6:00 PM
  
• Prizes are as follows:

Grand Champion (most combined points from meat categories)	Championship Buckle, flag, and an Invitation to 2009 Houston BBQ Cook-off with $500 for expenses
Reserve Grand Champion	Reserve Champion Buckle & Banner
1st Place Meat Categories	Trophy Buckle & Banner
2nd - 10th Place Meat	Banner
1st Place Pie Categories	Trophy & Banner
2nd and 3rd Place Pie	Banner
1st - 3rd Jackpot Categories	Cash payout
Best Pit / Showmanship	Banner
Kash for Kids	Trophy Buckle
Bad Boyz of Rodeo	Banner
Washer Tournament	Banner