VW Rib Fest 2013 information released

Van Wert Rib Fest news

The Van Wert Rib Fest Committee has been hard at work preparing for this year’s event, which will be held Friday and Saturday, August 2-3, at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

According to Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Larry Lee, the parent organization of the Rib Fest, work began last October for this year’s seventh annual event.

“The Rib Fest is an important source of income for the Bureau, as well as an opportunity for the entire community to come together for some great fun, great food, and great entertainment,” he said. “Other than adjusting the hours of the Rib Fest, most of the event will remain unchanged.”

Lee reported that the gates would open at 5 p.m. on Friday and at 11 on Saturday morning. Activities will continue both days until midnight. Admission will remain at $2 per person ages 11 and older. There will be no charge for parking.

While Lee said that the committee is still working on specifics, some things have been finalized.  There will five rib vendors this year including, Pork Brothers BBQ from Lima, Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ from Convoy, Manley Meats from Decatur, Ind., Smokin’ Buckeye BBQ from Clyde, and Carolina Rib King from Spartanburg, S.C. Other concessions that have committed to the Rib Fest include Mike’s Wisconsin Cheese Curds, C & J’s Shaved Ice and Sycamore Ice Cream.

“The exact schedule for bands has not been set, but we know The Earthquakers will be the headline band on Saturday evening.  They were here for last year’s event, but they never took to the stage because of the severe weather we had,” Lee said.  Other local and regional bands will be Bad Advice, Mo Blues, Boom Swang, Section Ate, Black Cat Mamba and Double Kik.

Popular events returning from last year include the Youth Wiffleball Tournament, the Corn Hole Tournament sponsored by First Bank of Berne, pig races organized by the Van Wert YWCA, the “When Pigs Fly” fundraiser for United Way, the Tug-of-War Challenge, and the Wiffleball Homerun Derby and Rib Relay organized by the Van Wert YMCA.

Registration forms for the Youth Wiffleball Tournament, the Corn Hole Tournament, the Tug-of-War Challenge, the Wiffleball Homerun Derby and the Rib Relay are available at the CVB office at 136 E. Main Street in Van Wert.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Citizens National Bank, Century Link, K & L Ready Mix, Van Wert Propane, First Federal Van Wert, First Financial Bank, First Bank of Berne, Scott Equity, Three Rivers Credit Union, Elgin Service Center, Federal Mogul, Eaton Corporation, Ayers Mechanical Group and Thatcher Insurance.

Lee reminds area businesses that they can join this elite group of sponsors by pledging from $250 up to $1,500. Special sponsorship packages are available at four different levels of support.  Those interested in becoming a Rib Fest sponsor can call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 419.238.9378.

Lee also reminds organizers of class reunions that they can avoid extra expenses by holding their class reunion at the Rib Fest. For $300, the Rib Fest will provide classes with a tent, tables, chairs and half-off admission and members can enjoy all the Rib Fest has to offer. For more information, call the CVB at the above telephone number.