BBQ Roundup should include local vendors

I inquired last year about getting into the BBQ Roundup as a local BBQ caterer and vendor and found out that they only invite big out-of-state BBQ vendors to the event.

Why? I know a lot of businesses and competition BBQ teams in the area that could do the same thing and put out BBQ that is as good as anything the big boys from out-of-state can. I was told by the head of the Roundup that they let locals in the roundup in 2008 with the flood but after the flood they went back to the waiting list after they did it when no one else would.

I really don't understand why the city or the community wants to watch all our money go to the out-of-state vendors when we can keep our money right here at home and support our own local small business people.

I don't know about anyone else but I will not support an event that will not opt to keep the revenue at home when it is an option. The least they can do is set up a local area of the event and let the people of the community make the choice of who to spend their money with - local business or out-of-state vendors.

Tom Fuhrmeister

Marion