Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Tentative Itinerary for upcoming doubles tournament

Lexington Barbecue Festival Petanque Tournament

Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Last day to register. $25 per person registration fee. (Late registration at discretion of Director.)

Thursday, October 25, 2018
Setup of the playing terrain at Finch Park (15 Paul Beck Road, Lexington, NC) in the afternoon will consist of raking, stringing lanes, and setting of rebound boards. Anyone who would like to volunteer to assist can contact Shirley at 336-247-0436. Terrain is open for social play after setup.

Friday, October 26, 2018

Finch Park terrain open for practice and social play all day. Also, everyone is invited to join us at the High Rock Lake home of Terry and Sue Wien (122 Mountain Harbor Drive) in the evening after dinner. Or, if you care to participate, we plan to have at least two or three volunteers preparing chili, which you are invited to share. BYOB. We'll be there around 6:00 PM and have social time, drinks, and under-the-lights petanque.

Saturday, October 27, 2018
The BIG DAY for Lexington, North Carolina! The 35th annual barbecue festival http://barbecuefestival.com/ will bring around 180,000 people to our small town http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington,_North_Carolina of 19,000 people.

It's a day full of family fun. We always try to arrive downtown by around 8:30 AM to see the streets before the throngs descend. There is an opening “kickoff” on the main stage in front of the old courthouse, complete with local dignitaries and a rendition of the national anthem to get everyone into the spirit of the day.

There are numerous music stages, arts and crafts, rides for the children, street shows that vary from bicycle stunt riders to chainsaw artists to automobile shows, and food vendors (with many offerings besides barbecue) galore. There is a “beer garden” for those who enjoy a little libation with their beach/rock/blues/bluegrass music. And, also again this year, a “wine garden” as well.

The barbecue served at the huge tents around town is provided by participating local restaurants. Their offerings are usually limited to pork barbecue sandwiches, “pigtail” fries, and maybe hot dogs for the “kids.” The pork is cooked over wood fires (oak and/or hickory) and comes only from shoulder cuts. It is marinated/seasoned with Lexington-style “dip.” The dip is a thin, vinegary concoction which usually includes ketchup and/or tomato sauce, brown sugar, and peppers. The usual condiment on a Lexington-style chopped sandwich is a red barbecue slaw. It's a little tart, but mostly sweet. I used to order my sandwiches without slaw, but after thirty-six years of living in Lexington, I've long since seen the errors of my ways. Try it, you'll like it!

Please be advised that the festival is
NOT a cook-off type event with different styles and cuts of barbecue. It's not even a representation of the different Lexington-style barbecue choices that one finds (sliced, chopped, coarse-chopped, coarse-chopped-lean, extra-brown, etc.) at a sit-down barbecue restaurant in and around Lexington. To get the real picture of what Lexington-style barbecue is all about, we suggest that you pay a visit to one of our local establishments and try a plate of barbecue with hushpuppies, fries, and barbecue slaw. Maybe sweet or unsweet (you gotta ask!) iced tea, if that's your thing, or Cheerwine (not wine, but a local soft-drink favorite) in regular or diet versions.
Though we strongly encourage visitors to spend at least part of the day downtown at the festival, the courts will be available for practice all day as well.

After the festival and practice, we'd like to invite everyone in the petanque group to join us for supper and drinks at the private residence of Terry and Sue Wien on High Rock Lake in Lexington. They are at 122 Mountain Harbor Drive. We'll try to eat around 6:30. The meal will consisit of a meat choice along with vegetables, other sides, and desserts. There is no charge, but we again ask that you let us know how many to plan for at dinner. You can call Shirley at
336-247-0436 or let us know by email to CarolinaPetanque@yahoo.com. The Wiens have five well-lighted courts and a large rec-room for socializing.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
The sixth official Lexington Barbecue Festival Petanque Tournament will begin at 9:15 AM. Please plan to check in by 8:45. The event will be held at Finch Park at 15 Paul Beck Road in Lexington. After entering the park, please proceed down the hill to the baseball infield (on your left as you look down the hill). Three rounds of morning qualifying play to 13 points (not to exceed 60 minutes, plus one end) will determine the seeding for the afternoon's single-elimination brackets in both Concours and Consolante divisions. Therefore, every team is guaranteed to play a minimum of four games.
Those participating in the tournament, as well as their friends and families who are attending, will be provided with a free pizza lunch. Or, if you prefer, there is a barbecue restaurant within a half-mile of the terrain that offers many choices, as well as pork barbecue.

Cash prizes, trophies, and medals will be awarded to the top teams in each division as shown on Exhibit A. Approximate time schedules are shown in Exhibit B.

Questions? Call Shirley at 336-247-0436.


Exhibit A (guaranteed purse)

Championship Team $500 / team plus trophies and medals
Concours Runners-up $200 / team plus medals
Concours Third Place Teams $150 / team plus medals

Consolante Winners $120 / team plus medals
Consolante Runners-up $100 / team plus medals
Consolante Third Place Teams $90 / team plus medals
Exhibit B (estimated time schedules)
Sunday Play*
9:15 Round One
10:30 Round Two
11:45 Round Three
12:45 Lunch (provided)
1:30 Round of Sixteen
2:45 Round of Eight (Quarterfinals)
4:00 Semi-finals
5:15 Finals
* All rounds timed (one hour+one end), except Finals


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