CigarFest 2008 - Split Rock - Who made it? What did you think?

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Permalink Reply by Eric The Flippin Amazing on May 4, 2008 at 5:25pm

welcome to the site KingPhil. I was one of the guys wearing the Social Cigar shirts - the only one of us wearing a skull cap.

Can't really say much about the weather as, it is what it is. One year it rained some - what can you do??

Split Rock won't host it again next year - I'd be willing to bet a months salary on it. Then we have to wonder if they will have it at all and that's something to think about. Not having a Cigar Fest?! That would suck.

This year was rough as far as crowd control. After a few years of doing this they still can't cooridnate the crowd control correctly. Why the crap did they have Nub, who was rolling cigars, having people smell/feel tobacco leaves and check out their car right around the bathroom? All these things hold up lines and make them longer THEN they put Punch right down the isle from that where people really had to wait. That just completely congested that room and the entrance to it.

For me, though, this was much better. Why? Because of this site. From this site I got to know some of the manufacturers and reps so when we met at 'Fest it was cool to get a few minutes to rap with them. Then to top that a bunch of us guys had a huge BBQ on Friday night and that never would have happened without this site - which just added to the weekend.

What could they do differently? Get rid of the band - or move it to a tented area. The room that the band, and the tables in that area, use make that room almost a waste for going to booths. Other than that - it's the same thing every year. People loving cigars, enjoying the company of other cigar smokers and having a little eye candy in the CI girls, 5 Vegas girls and CAO girls. The CI girls were MUCH better looking this year IMHO.

Again, glad that you made it to the site and look forward to rappin with you some more.

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Permalink Reply by kingphilbert on May 4, 2008 at 6:19pm

I am glad others felt the same about crowds and unnecessary lines. Nub and Punch were terrible lines and if you weren't watching them roll cigars or getting your pic taken with Punch it was much easier to jump in line and get your cigars. I don't know if you were there 3 years back, but that room was the BBQ, before moving it outdoors last year.

I would hate to think not having one next year. It was so convenient for me having it in the Poconos and going back to Allentown won't be such a stretch either. I was actually asked by a CI employee at one point what we thought this year and i told him, not being mean, but to make things easier. I hope they asked others for feedback as well.

Still a great weekend though. I went with a group of my dad's friends and I have a blast with them. Last year with my friends, who couldn't attend this year. It will be great being part of a community like this though leading into the next one. Like you said, meeting reps and company heads and other fans. I belong to an Oakley sunglasses fan site and I know someone in every state now with common interest when I travel.

I agree about the CI girls : ) One of the first things I said to my uncle actually. I am more so wishing I had stopped one of you guys to ask about Social Cigar as I wanted to instead of waiting til I got home to check it out. Oh well, I am here now.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on May 4, 2008 at 11:59pm

Haven't been to any others but I really enjoyed this one. Frankly I couldn't understand why the lines for Nub, Punch and Playboy were so large. It was like, you walked through that entrance and people just automatically stood in line.

Without this site, I would never have gone but had a great time with all the boys.

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Permalink Reply by Pablo Cruze (Minister of the Leaf) on May 5, 2008 at 7:24am

Welcome to the site KP,
This year was my 2nd and I came away with some great memories. I thought that this years Main Event ran smoother then last year. But I think part of that was because they opened the doors an hour early due to the weather and the crowed was more staggered coming in. Over all there were far fewer long lines to wait in. (Other then the 3 that you and Eric listed) This year I spent a lot more time talking to the manufacturers.

I got to have very long and in depth conversations with Charlie Torano, Joe Cusano, Nick Perdomo,Ernesto Padilla, Jose Oliva, Jon Huber (who is also a member here) and Jose Pepin Garcia's interpreter.

Also I got to visit with some long time acquaintances that last year just wouldn't of had the time to talk like they did this year. Marvin from Drew Estate, Frankie Santos from Reyes Family and even Sam Leccia (when he got a break from rolling the nub.) But of course the booth that was having the most fun was Camacho. Christian had Dylan, Angle, and Tom L in the booth with him. how insain is that!!!

With out a doubt What realy made this year special was rolling with the gang from SC. The BBQ, the parties at the villas, and meeting some of the guys for the first time was all just an awesome experiance. It will be a sad thing if this was the last Cigar Fest. I hope CI finds another venue to hold it at.

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Permalink Reply by Lloyd on May 5, 2008 at 8:33am

This was my 2nd 'CigarFest' and in general thought the fest itself was better than last years fest, but also felt that the accessory activities/events were dramatically watered down from last year, and this left me a little disappointed. Do not read me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the Cusano event, talking with Joe and Mike was very enjoyable, and the folks from Drew did the best they could with what they had. I have no idea why the after party was moved to Bench Warmers instead of having it in the ballroom or the same area as used last year (where the fest was). I most strongly feel that the other pay for events held last year added to the overall Cigarfest, and urge bringing these types of events back (Poker tournament, Golf tournament, pay for play pre and post parties (can you say open bar?).I do feel what others have said here is on target with regards to the Resort itself, and also am of the opinion that this is probably the last one at the Split Rock. It was great to meet some of you guys at the fest and that is how I found out about socialcigar. For me Sam Leccia stole the show and I do believe he is onto something with the "Nub". Of course I also enjoyed the tremendous candy and liquid refreshment samples. As opposed to last year, this year there seemed to be plenty of food, and where I disagree with others is that I liked the entertainment of the Mississippi Pig Farmers, their rendition of whipping post was seminal! For Crowd control, hindsight is always 20/20, but if all the pictures (don't forget about the Oliveros models), the bunny, and all the liquid tastings were moved to the back room with the band, movement would have been a little better. I ended up getting a CAO, Cusano, and Cinco Vegas fest sampler. The pre-release 59 Camerron from Cusano was the strongest Camerron I've ever experienced, and one always has to get in on the jeep raffle. For closing commentary I also thought that room reservations were handled much better this year, and also passed this along to Trish. For a wrap on it, I say a hearty BRAVO ZULU to all at CI, and was very glad to have met Kim, as well as renewing accquaintances with the veteran CI staff.

Going forward, a change in location is probably in order, I say bring back the pay for play events and lets use the Pig Farmers for one of the evening party bands, the DJ at bench warmers was quite awful IMHO. Also looking forward to learning more and getting one of your cool Social Cigar Tee's.

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Permalink Reply by Eric The Flippin Amazing on May 5, 2008 at 8:51am

Lloyd - Thanks for joining and posting.

I don't think we were complaining about the band as much as how much the band location was a clog in the flow of things. They were rockin and I enjoyed the music. You said it best though - hindsight IS 20/20.

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Permalink Reply by francisco hernandez on May 5, 2008 at 9:21pm

hi, this year was my second time going. i enjoyed it much better than last year. mainly because we came in on friday and paid extra for the breakfast, mainly to get in earlier. last year we had VIP tickets and still waited on a long line. i know it can get pricey, but it's worth it since your almost done getting your smokes by the time they let everyone else in. can't wait 'til next year. It might be a good idea if they could do it over two days rather than one. I know famous smoke has theirs on saturday and sunday ( i've never been to that one, if anyone has can you tell me if it's better, worse or the same).

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Permalink Reply by Joe G on May 27, 2008 at 10:45pm

Second year going to CF and I think the event was about the same as last year. I was bummed they didn't have the Camacho golf event like last year. That was a blast and the best deal of the whole damm weekend. $50 bucks for golf, BBQ, great cigars, golf shirt and other swag...are you kidding me?

Other than that the comments others have made regarding the crowd control/flow I would second...

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