18TH ANNUAL BBQ RIBFEST
The 18th annual BBQ Ribfest commences on Thursday, June 18 thru Sunday, June 21 at Headwaters Park in downtown Fort Wayne. Hours are 11AM to 12:30AM. The event is presented by Blackburn & Green and Fort Wayne Kia.
Ribfest is an all-ages event but under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Go to www.bbqribfest.com for band line-ups and additional information.
The event is free until 5:30p Thursday thru Saturday and then a nominal cover for 14 and older. $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 students, military, police and fire with ID. Ribfest is only $3 for adults on Father’s Day, Sunday June 21. Kids 14 and under are always free! Bring Dad down and make it an extra special Father’s day!
Over 25 tons of great BBQ all served up just the way you love it by national award winning cooking teams. Delicious ribs, chicken, pulled pork, beef brisket and so much more. Festival favorites as well…funnel cakes, lemon shake-ups, roasted sweet corn, and ice cream just to name a few.
Great kids stuff, Chester Crabtree and Company, interactive puppet shows, games, face painting, baseball throw, etc.
Ribfest is rain or shine with a great covered stage and eating area. Rain is no problem in the Lincoln Financial Pavilion. Ice cold beer and wine and Coke products are available.
Many of the rib teams have been featured on national TV on the food channel. They travel thousands of miles each year selling literally tons of their great award-winning barbeque.
Great rockin’ blues featuring national and international recording artists. Get more info band line-up, info on cooking teams, directions etc. at www.bbqribfest.com.
Computerized people’s choice voting for your favorite rib team. Many people come more than one day to eat the great BBQ and hear the awesome musical line-up. Come see celebrity rib judging at noon Friday, June 19th.
There is convenient parking just a block away in the Rousseau Center parking garage (formerly the city county building). It has been free in past years on the weekend.
The 3rd annual Ribfest 5k will be run at 8 AM Saturday, June 19th registrations are underway now.
A variety of arts and crafts vendors will be offering their wares in the plaza.
Ribfest was highlighted as one of the top ten BBQ festivals in the country by Martha Stewart Living magazine a few years back!
Ribfest tip: Avoid the crowds and lines and come down on Sunday. There is still a great crowd but much easier to get around and the music is a bit mellower featuring some great jazz as well. Or come a little off peak of the 7PM dinner hour. 7PM to 8:30PM at night is the busiest time to get food. And again best of all it’s free Thur., Fri., and Sat. until 5:30PM and only $3 adult on Sunday.
Ribfest sells over 25 tons of delicious BBQ of all kinds each year and has partnered with local area high schools providing $160,000 in funding various school programs.
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