Rib Fest entertainment, vendors named

VW independent/Van Wert Rib Fest information

There will lots to do, lots to hear and, most importantly, lots of good food to eat during the ninth annual Van Wert Rib Fest. This year’s event will take place Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $5 both evenings, with free admission before 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be plenty of free parking and a handicap parking area will be reserved. Those coming to rib fest should enter the fairgrounds through the Fox Road gate. Entrances will be clearly marked.

Van Wert Area Convention & Visitors Center Executive Director Larry Lee — organizer of Rib Fest — is especially excited about this year’s event.

”It would have been hard to have imagined nine years ago that Rib Fest would be what it is today,” Lee said. “Every year, we’ve tried hard to make it bigger and better than the year before. We have gained a good reputation, which means we’ve been able to attract more vendors and bigger entertainment.”

This year’s new vendors include After Hours BBQ from Orville, Jubilee Winery from Delphos, Professor’s BBQ from Wapakoneta, Rados Foods from Willoughby and Rismiller Concessions from Arcanum.

These will join previous vendors Pigtails BBQ from West Salem, Pork Brothers BBQ from Lima, Smoke Shack BBQ from Pickerington and Timmy’s BBQ from Garrett, Indiana.

Other local vendors participating are C & J’s Shaved Ice, Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ and Sycamore Ice Cream. Emmanuel Lutheran Church will be operating the soft drink and water concession.

“With the addition of our new vendors, those attending will find a huge selection of great food,” Lee said. “Everything from ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork, and turkey legs to French fries, funnel cakes, steamed buttery corn-on-the-cob, sweet potato fries, bloomin’ onions, elephant ears and Irish nachos to ice cream and strawberry shortcake. Jubilee Winery will be doing wine sampling and offering such things as wine slushies. There will definitely be something for everyone!”

Lee noted that there is also an outstanding line-up of entertainment for both evenings. On Friday night, beginning at 7:30, local band Section Ate will take the Cooper Farms Stage, followed by The Earthquakers.

The Earthquakers, from the Erie, Pennsylvania area, are back by popular demand, Lee said, noting that the group has a big following in this area.

“They put on a really good show and everyone has a good time when they are on stage,” he added.

Saturday’s entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. when Fort Wayne, Indiana’s, Soft N’ Heavy comes on stage. “The band, formed by four local guys in 2012, have become one of the most popular groups in the Fort Wayne area,” Lee said.

At 7:30 that evening, Shelby County Line will perform.

“This group is rapidly gaining popularity among people of all ages,” he noted. “They play fresh new country, as well as classic older songs.”

Taking the Cooper Farms stage at 9:30 Saturday will be the Mustang Sally Band.

“This all-female country, rhythm and blues band from Nashville thrills crowds wherever they perform,” Lee said. When bands are not playing, Ron Birt from Magic Moment Entertainment will be providing DJ services.

Other activities taking place at Rib Fest this year include a Cornhole Tournament, beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday and a Youth Wiffleball Tournament (16 and under) starting early Saturday morning. Registration for the Cornhole Tournament can be done in advance (registration forms can be picked up at the CVB office in downtown Van Wert or downloaded at www.vanwertribfest.com), while same day registration will also be accepted. A $20 per team entry fee is required when registering. First place prize is 50 percent of the entry fees collected and second place prize is 25 percent. Registration forms for the Youth Wiffleball Tournament can also be found on the Rib Fest website or at the CVB office.

The YWCA will be holding its annual Pig Races starting at 4 p.m. Saturday and Lee encourages everyone to support this local agency.

“This is always a fun event, so come out, place a bet on your favorite pig and cheer the little porkers as they race for Oreo cookies,” he added.

The United Way of Van Wert County is also selling “piglets” for its “When Pigs Fly” event. Pigs can be purchased from any United Way Board member.

Then be sure to be on hand at 7 Saturday evening as 500 rubber pigs are dropped from high overhead with pig “owners” claiming money prizes for the pig that lands closest to, and farthest from, the target.

Lee pointed out that, as the event has grown every year, so has the need for more generous financial supporters of the event.

“This year, we have nearly 30 local sponsors without whom this event just wouldn’t happen,” he said. Fiery Hot sponsors this year are Cooper Farms and Iberdrola Renewables, who are joined by Scorchin’ Hot sponsors Citizens National Bank, Purmort Brothers Insurance and H.K. Violet Equipment. Other sponsors include K & L Ready Mix, Fricker’s, Northwest Ohio Beverage, Stephanie Dawn, Scott Equity Exchange, First Bank of Berne, Leland Smith Insurance, Wells Fargo Bank, Young’s Waste Service,  Pak-A-Sak, Eaton Corporation, First Federal Savings & Loan, Van Wert Propane, Stahl Stoller Meyer Insurance, Van Wert Manor, Tecumseh Packaging Solutions, Ayers Mechanical Group and Thatcher Insurance.

Other area businesses support Rib Fest through their trade donations. These sponsors include Kenn-Feld Group, Store and Haul, GLM Transport, Sullivan RV Sales and Service of Decatur, BeScene Multimedia, WERT/WKSD/The Van Wert independent and DHI Media.

For more information, check out the Rib Fest website above or on Facebook or get information by calling the CVB office at 419.238.9378.

“There’s still time to get space reserved for a class reunion, a family get-together or a business/company party,” Lee concluded. “We can accommodate your group in a private tent, and obviously there’s great food and entertainment available!”