Plenty to do during VW Rib Cook-Off

Van Wert independent/submitted information

The Van Wert Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is excited to announce the line-up of activities at the fifth annual Van Wert Rib Cook-Off. This year’s event will take place from noon to midnight Saturday, August 6, on the infield of the racetrack in front of the grandstand on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

There will be a $2 cover charge for those over the age of 12 entering after 5 p.m.

Some of the area’s favorite rib vendors will be back this year, including The Red Pig Inn in Ottawa, Smoke Shack BBQ in Columbus, and Pork Brothers in Lima.  Returning after a two-year absence will be JAV’s in Ottawa. New to the competition will be Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ in Convoy and Shigs in Pit, a division of Mad Anthony Brewing Company located in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Judges awards for best rubs and best sauce and an overall “People’s Choice” Award will be presented to the winning vendors.

Other food will be available from Sycamore of Van Wert, the Van Wert Lions Club, Lincoln Ridge Farm, and CJ’s Shaved Ice. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803 in Van Wert will again be operating the beer tent.

There will be a youth Wiffleball Tournament, with proceeds going to support the Van Wert Pride softball team. More information can be obtained from the CVB office, online at www.visitvanwert.org/specialevents.html or from Brent Kohn at Citizens National Bank.

First Bank of Berne will again be sponsoring a cornhole tournament, beginning at 1 p.m. This year’s entry fee has been reduced to $20 per team, with a guaranteed first-place cash prize of $250, second-place prize of $175 and third-place prize of $100 (only teams that have pre-registered will be permitted to participate).

For more information or to obtain an entry form, contact the CVB office or any branch of the First Bank of Berne. An entry form can also be downloaded by clicking on the above link.

New to this year’s event will be the first annual Tug-of-War Tournament. Tug-of-war tournaments are very popular throughout Europe and the CVB decided to bring this different competition to the local event.  There are three divisions — a men’s heavyweight, a men’s lightweight, and a coed division — with each team to have eight members.

Each division has a weight limit (2,000 pounds men’s heavyweight, 1,600 pounds men’s lightweight and 1,400 pounds coed) and each division will feature a double elimination tournament. In addition, coed teams must have at least half of their members be women. Families, friends, businesses, and organizations can organize teams and join in the fun. All team members must be at least 18 years of age.  Entry fee is $40.

The winning team in each division will receive t-shirts, a trophy, and — most importantly — bragging privileges. Members of the runner-up team will earn t-shirts.  Competition begins at 3 p.m.  Rules and entry forms are available at the CVB office or online at the above website (click here for a printable entry form.

The deadline for entries in all tournaments is Monday, August 1.

Entertainment this year will begin at 6 p.m. and feature three bands. Leading off will be local favorite, The Dogz, which will be followed by Scotty Bratcher, a regional blues singer from the Cincinnati area.

Headliner for the evening will be Tinsely Ellis, a guitarist, singer and songwriter who plays a blend of Memphis rhythm and blues, Southwest blues, and urban funk.

Ellis ranks among the top blues/rock guitarists working today.  Billboard Magazine says, “Atlanta’s Tinsley Ellis sings like a man possessed and wields a ferocious lead guitar … one of today’s premier blues/rock players.”

Make plans now to come out and enjoy with day with friends and neighbors and take in the great food, great fun, and great entertainment!

For more information about any of the happenings at this year’s rib cook-off, contact the Van Wert Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 419.238.9378 or stop by the office at 136 E. Main St. in downtown Van Wert.