1st Annual BBQ Poetry Contest!

[Q Lady]

To have a little fun in February, our business (Virginia 'Q) sponsored the "1st Annual BBQ Poetry Contest". Contestants were given a baseline poem about BBQ that they could either rewrite or start from scratch. Poems had to include themes of true smoke BBQ and Valentines. Winner got a $20 gift certificate for BBQ for Valentine's weekend; runners up got a $5 certificate.
Our local newspaper picked up the contest and printed our entire baseline poem (40 lines of poetry) plus a paragraph on the event - great free advertising!
Our customers got quite a chuckle over the contest, and the entrants did a great job writing very creative stories about their true love of 'Q and their Valentine. It was a hoot. On Valentines Day, we offered a take-away "Dinner for Two" package plus our standard meals and did a very swift business from our mobile restaurant (concession trailer). Especially in this tough economy, folks love a good laugh and great food with their friends! Looking forward to hosting this every year.

[Texman]

[Q Lady]

Here's the starting point that we gave contestants:

Make Valentines Day special
For your sweetie and you
Warm up your hearts
With a little spice, a little ‘Q!

Want to offer a gift
As a token of your affection?
If you’re a bit shy on ideas
We can offer some direction!

Roses and candles
Are always a winner
Especially when paired
With a Virginia ‘Q dinner!

Jewelry is lovely
Chocolate’s divine!
But only ‘Q Ribs say
“Oh baby, be mine!”

Cologne is alluring
If of hickory and oak
“My dear, can they bottle
that Virginia ‘Q smoke?!”

With eyes a twinklin’
And hearts all a flutter,
You’ll find true love
O’vr Brisket & Cornbread with Sweet Honey Butter!

So shower your love
With many fine things
As long as you remember the
Pork, Brisket, & Wings!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This poem’s pretty awful
Yes, a bit of a joke
If paid just for poetry
We’d surely go broke!

So pick up a pen
And help us to rewrite
The best will win dinner
For this Valentine’s night!

Do not delay
Time’s of the essence
Entries must be received
Before February 11th!

Note: Total compensation to the winner is the value of the redeemed gift certificate. Poem becomes the property of Virginia ‘Q and may be used in future promotions, contests, etc.

[Q Lady]

Here are a few lines from our "aspiring BBQ poets" (dashed lines separate the poems):

As one noted, "I think I would have faired better in a 'Q eating contest than with poetry but here's my best effort":

I wake up in the morning with 'Q on my brain,
I hope the forecast doesn't call for rain.

How much longer until it can be pulled from the grill?
I need my Virginia 'Q fill.

Pulled pork, tender and sweet,
chicken wings that make me melt on my feet.

I wish could have it every day
but I'd probably eat until I passed away.

----------------------

BBQ to die for
Sides so good to cry for
I can't do without it, don't know about you
I surely do love the Virginia 'Q

---------------------

I got a BBQ jones
Gotta have some rib bones
It's Virginia Q I'm needin'
All Lexington they are feedin'

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And the winner is.....

How Virginia ‘Q Saved the Day and Let Fido Keep his House

Roses are red,
Violets are blue
Saturday is Valentine’s
What can I do?

The certificate to the lube line
Wasn’t exactly a winner
And I didn’t win kudos
With the All you Eat Road Kill Dinner.

I’ve thought and I’ve thought
T’il my thinker is out thunk
If I don’t soon find a Valentine
Then my ship is sunk.

I’ve hoofed the streets of Lexington
Till there’s a hole in one boot
But my Honey’s so choosy
And I’ve got very little loot.

It will be Move over, Fido,
I’m gonna’ live with you
If I don’t find just the Valentine
Before the night is through.

So, Fido and I went,
And got into my truck
Thinking a little drive would
Bring us some luck.

My truck, on automatic,
Ended up at Tractor’s Supply
Would what to my surprise,
Do you think caught my eye?

A humble place with a crowd
Looking all happy and content
Whatever they’re having
Must be heaven sent.

Aromas so tempting
And so very divine
I went a little closer
To check out the quick moving line.

I found food so yummy,
Served up with a smile
That would make many a man
Walk more than a mile.

How have I missed it?
It’s not really new
Thank goodness, I found it
The problem solving Virginia ‘Q

I’ll take home some ribs and a
Poke full of wings
She’ll be more impressed
Than a box full of blings.

The dinners so delightfully saucy
And so very meaty
Heck, this will earn me
Street cred with my Sweetie!

My Valentine will think I’m a hero
And Fido gets a tasty rib bone
But best of all he gets
To live in his house all alone

Thank you, Virginia ‘Q!
No more lookin’ Valentine stupid
Fido and I will always
Let you be our Cupid!

  

[Texman]

That is really neat!

We liked this part the winner used:

It will be Move over, Fido,
I’m gonna’ live with you
If I don’t find just the Valentine
Before the night is through.

[Mrs. K.A.M.]

WoW I really enjoyed your post, thanks for sharing
_________________
Got Fire?

My UDS.

[Q Lady]

Absolutely! It was really a fun little contest!
If you could see the faces of these big hulk-like guys, when I'd ask if they were interested in competing in the BBQ poetry contest...it was just hilarious! They'd look over their shoulder...waiting for the Candid Camera folks to pop out. Then they'd read the poem, laugh, and say, "oh, my wife will want to do this" Then all but 2 of the entries were from men!! And most of them turned out to be pretty good poets!