February 15, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I’m sure I forgot to thank each and every one of you for your generous donations last year towards 4 Pork Harmony on the river. But, the time is nigh to collect money again. Some of you may have already received an email from Ellis Young. Please don’t kill the messenger.

Yes, you are our sponsors, our friends, and our helping hands. We are certainly glad that you’ve invested your money or time or interest in our little endeavor.  Here is the low down and dirty as far as 4 Pork Harmony is concerned for 2010.

Ellis Young, Whit Winfrey, Lou Savarin, Steve Cochran and Joe Broy are 4 Pork Harmony, along with a host of other individuals who in May of each year comprise the 4 Pork Harmony barbershop barbecue cooking contest team. We have many minions that assist us in our endeavor each year, and we cannot mention each and every one of them, including YOU probably, because we would definitely be leaving someone out – someone who should not be left out.

Just a quick update on our preparations for the upcoming contest

THANKS YUENGLING: We are once again discussing options with Yuengling brewery to sponsor us this year. We are hoping for their usual generosity as it relates to Yuengling beer, tee shirts, signs, cups, trinkets and whatever else they are willing to provide. This will mark the third year that we partnered with Yuengling if we are blessed with their good fortunate again in 2010. If you have not tried Yuengling beer, you should. It’s good stuff. They have also provided a GREAT logo for us to use, and we will have it posted every place we can get it.

WHEN: The International Barbecue Contest is May 13, 14 and 15 this year. That is the third weekend in May (we have five Saturdays in May) and the booth will be open to our guests on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

MOVE IN: We will be trying to coordinate assistance in loading our equipment into the booth on either Saturday, May 8 or Sunday, May 9 (Mother’s Day). We know that every year we try to move in on Mother’s day, lots of folks may be unable to assist. We therefore usually like to look towards an early load in on Saturday. If you have any interest in helping us load in please email me ASAP at joebroy@joebroy.com. We have to work hard before we play hard. 

DONATIONS: As we have done in the past, we are looking for a commitment of $100.00 from each individual who desires to be a part of the festivities this year. That $100.00 covers one individual or one couple. If we haven’t asked you, consider this our request. We need money to put this party on! If you’ve already given, then THANK YOU SO MUCH for your donation.

Our costs before this email goes out are $3000.00. That has already been paid. So before we start collecting money to put towards our expenses for the contest, we have to cover our expenses that have already been paid for registration. As you know, our additional costs include liquor, food, food, food, more food, ice, ice, ice, more ice, table rentals, electricity, portable toilets, and numerous supplies that keep you comfortable and well fed. So your donations paid as soon as possible are graciously appreciated.

AND WHAT DO YOU GET FOR $100.00? Well, most people would be content with just the pleasure of the company of Joe Broy or even a chance to catch a glimpse of him, or even to touch his robe. But you’ll get much more than that. We’ll be open for dining Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. You and a guest will be able to partake of all of our fine offerings including soft drinks, water, beer, and alcohol (must be 21 years old), ribs, chicken, pork shoulder, wings, and the fixins. You’ll have the benefit of making our friends your friends, as well as get tee shirts and hats and whatever swag we have to give you. We’ll tell people we know you, and we’ll wave to you as you enter the tent. Three days of food, fellowship and free Yuengling beer.

HOUSEKEEPING: If you plan on inviting friends to the booth, please let them know that we expect them to be respectful of our tent and our guests, and to contribute financially to the both. We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave, regardless of who they are or who they are with. 

We expect to have beer cans and or bottles provided by Yuengling and D. Canale. We have also asked for two kegs of Yuengling beer. That will be the only beer available in our tent for our invitees. We will also have margaritas, bourbon, tequila and vodka with Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke and Red Bull mixers. As always, tips and donations appreciated and expected.   

We will have a wheel chair available for anyone who needs assistance getting to our booth from the front gate. If you can get to the front gate, we can get you to the booth. If you get too drunk to make it back to the front gate, we can get you to the front gate if you have a ride FROM the front booth.

If anybody wants to bring something to the tent, or thinks we might need more than you’ve already given, we are always in need of ICE and COKE and WATER and SPRITE and DIET COKE. We buy these from SAMS at the festival, but any contributions you want to give are always welcome.

We figure the cost of the contest is roughly around $7500. If you have anybody who might want to contribute, put them in touch with me. Lou is only capable of earning so many tips as Ms. Piggy (Yes, he is returning to the job).

We will likely have wristbands again this year to identify those of you who are paid contributors FOR ACCESS TO THE TENT. We WILL NOT be providing wristbands for entry into the park.

We anticipate having Tee Shirts again this year, and possibly caps, which will be distributed first to contributing donors. Thank you once again to each of you for your contributions – whether that be monetary, manual labor, or simply coming to see us at the contest. We look forward to seeing you in our booth.

Questions or concerns, contact me at joebroy@joebroy.com or Ellis at ellis@4porkharmony.com.

Joe Broy

joebroy@joebroy.com

(901) 240-6623