The crazy partying at the MIM barbecue tends to take place on Thursday and Friday nights. Folks are in from all over and the booths are overflowing with invited guests and with people who have managed to either sneak in or befriend someone in a group (the latter is perfectly fine; the former, not so much). But on Saturday, it starts to slow down and even take on a hushed tone at times. It’s judgment day, after all.

Over at Tom & Jerry’s Global Porkers, the day started with Bloody Marys, the universal hangover remedy. The secret to their drink–everyone around loves ‘em–is a spoonful of powdered Worchestershire sauce.

After the Bloodies have everyone back to fightin’ form, it’s about time for the judging to begin. Blind tasting is done in a big tent by a large panel of judges, then on-site judging commences. The nerves start getting on edge when folks start waiting for the judges to come around to announce winners. When it’s down to three per category, the scoring goes back to zero and everyone starts over for final judging. Here judges are tasting shoulder at the Parrothead Porkers. Everyone around is talking in whispers, team members are grinning and patting each other on the back, but these parrot just keep watching the river roll by.

It’s getting close to 6:30, and folks are meandering to the center stage to find out who the winners are…

–Jennifer Biggs