We’re back for 2013! Our application has already been accepted for Memphis in May. We’re still competing in shoulder, and we have the same size space as last year. Here’s what you need to know.

First of all, we have a new cookteam this year. You may remember a team next door. Many of our members went over and tried their food, and it was delicious. They came over and said, “You like our food, we like your party. Want to team up for 2013?” So we did. One thing you may have noticed was all the trophies in their booth. They are an experienced team who knows how to win, and they will be completely responsible for managing our kitchen this year. We have them committed to prepare two full meals a day, plus snacks, every day. They will get the food out in a timely fashion so that we all have a chance to enjoy our food before the park closes.

WordPress will be back as our main sponsor. WordPress is the most popular content management system in the world. It powers this site, a couple of team members’ blogs, and about 20% of the rest of the Web. If you need a website engine that makes it easy to publish content without knowing programming, WordPress is what you need. Get it for free to install on your own server at wordpress.org, or have them host your site for free on wordpress.com. Matt Mullenweg and the crew have made a generous contribution to our 2013 team, and have rented a house nearby so they have a place to meet and work on projects. They are a blast to hang out with and without a doubt we have the best sponsor of any team at BBQ Fest.

The Blind Bear will run the bar this year. The Blind Bear is a great little speakeasy on the Main Street Mall, with delicious food (pepper jack mac & cheese!), cold beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Other teams brag they have well-known professional bartenders, and this year we have an answer – we have Jamie, Jeannette, and Colin, owners of the Bear. It doesn’t get much better than that. If for some reason they can’t be there to bartend, their employees will handle it. With last year’s next-door team completely in charge of the kitchen and the Blind Bear completely in charge of the bar, all we have to do is throw a party. We know how to do that!

There’s been a slight change in team leadership. Moody will still serve as president for the purposes of legal paperwork, but she’s stepping away from day-to-day operations. Vice-president Clay will assume day-to-day responsibility. Most questions should be addressed to him, and he’s monitoring the email account at moodyques@gmail.com. Treasurer Frank will continue to do an accurate and transparent job managing the team’s money. He sent out a 2012 balance sheet in early March. if you’re a team member and didn’t get it, email us and we’ll send it to you. Of course our inspirational leader and father figure Win will be back doing the things he does so well.

We are going with a simpler design for the booth this year. We are still going to build a two-story structure, but it will be much less elaborate than last year so that team members spend less time building and more time having fun. Brent from Holliday Flowers, our sponsor and booth designer last year, won’t be back this year as a designer, but he’s heard what we plan on doing and likes it. This year’s honored country is Sweden and Clay is working on some neat ideas for booth decoration.

We’re also simplifying the door. We’ll have off-duty MPD back guarding the door during peak hours, because that definitely worked well last year. However, we’re simplifying the system of getting guests in, going back to paper wristbands for the guests and rubber wristbands to identify who is a team member.

Returning members from 2012 – how to renew: Membership is $250 for individuals this year, $350 for couples. The best way to pay is the PayPal link on the right sidebar of the Moody Ques home page.. There’s a slight surcharge to cover PayPal’s handling fees. The couples amount reads “married couple.” You don’t actually have to be married, but you do have to be a real-life couple to get the rate. If you don’t want to pay via PayPal, email moodyques@gmail.com and ask where to send a check. The check should be made out to The Moody Ques.

Not a returning team member from 2012, but interested in joining or sponsoring? You can email us and ask about joining, or you can talk to one of us when you see us out and express your interest. We’ve already added one new team member who not only brings a lot to the table – he brings the table. We’d be interested in talking to others who feel they’d be a good fit.

That’s what’s going on. We hope to have you back on the team with us this year. Any questions, email moodyques@gmail.com. We’ll provide updates as it gets closer to showtime.