Rib Fest does well despite weather

CVB information

The Van Wert Area Convention and Visitors Bureau was pleased with the number of people who came out and enjoyed the sixth annual Van Wert Rib Fest. The crowd was great.

“Unfortunately the weather got us again,” said CVB Executive Director Larry Lee. “For the second year in a row, our feature band did not get a chance to go on stage; but considering the threatening weather, clearing the grounds was the right thing to do.”

The Rib Fest Organizing Committee has already met and begun making plans for an even better 2013 event.

This year’s People’s Choice winners were: First place – Manley Meats of Decatur, Ind.; second place – Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ of Convoy; and third place – Pork Brother’s BBQ from Lima.

Judges this year included Al Saylor, Eric Hurless, Van Wert Municipal Court Judge Jill Leatherman, Ron Burt, and retired Juvenile-Probate Court Judge Rex Fortney.

In the Best Ribs category, the judges selected Manley Meats as the first place winner, followed by JAV’s from Ottawa, and Shigs in Pit of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Best Sauce winners were JAV’s, first place; Timmy’s BBQ of Garrett, Ind., second place; and Manley Meats, third place.

The Rib Fest Committee would also like to thank all its sponsors, including Citizens National Bank, Century Link, Time Warner Cable, Iberdrola Renewables, First Federal Savings and Loan, K & L Ready Mix, First Bank of Berne, Scott Equity Exchange, First Financial Bank, the Walmart Foundation, C & G Distributing, BP Wind Energy, Cooper Farms, Stahl Stoller Meyer Insurance Group, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Purmort Brothers Insurance, Van Wert Manor, WERT/WKSD Radio, Store & Haul, Wallace Plumbing. Dedicated Fleet Logistics, Young’s Waste Service, Lee’s ACE Hardware, and the following individuals: Cindy Mollenkopf, Nancy Dixon, Gary Adams, Martha Balyeat, Bev Fuerst, Clair Dudgeon, Kim Hughes and Jeanne Zeigler.