![\"2015](\"https:\/\/www.thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/VW-Rib-Fest-2015-entertainment-7-2015.jpg\")
<\/a>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.<\/p>\n
Van Wert Area Convention & Visitors Center Executive Director Larry Lee — organizer of Rib Fest — is especially excited about this year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n
\u201dIt would have been hard to have imagined nine years ago that Rib Fest would be what it is today,\u201d Lee said. \u201cEvery year, we\u2019ve tried hard to make it bigger and better than the year before. We have gained a good reputation, which means we\u2019ve been able to attract more vendors and bigger entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s new vendors include After Hours BBQ from Orville, Jubilee Winery from Delphos, Professor\u2019s BBQ from Wapakoneta, Rados Foods from Willoughby and Rismiller Concessions from Arcanum.<\/p>\n
These will join previous vendors Pigtails BBQ from West Salem, Pork Brothers BBQ from Lima, Smoke Shack BBQ from Pickerington and Timmy\u2019s BBQ from Garrett, Indiana.<\/p>\n
Other local vendors participating are C & J\u2019s Shaved Ice, Gibson\u2019s Barnyard BBQ and Sycamore Ice Cream. Emmanuel Lutheran Church will be operating the soft drink and water concession.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the addition of our new vendors, those attending will find a huge selection of great food,\u201d Lee said. \u201cEverything from ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork, and turkey legs to French fries, funnel cakes, steamed buttery corn-on-the-cob, sweet potato fries, bloomin\u2019 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!\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey put on a really good show and everyone has a good time when they are on stage,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. when Fort Wayne, Indiana\u2019s, Soft N’ Heavy comes on stage. \u201cThe band, formed by four local guys in 2012, have become one of the most popular groups in the Fort Wayne area,\u201d Lee said.<\/p>\n
At 7:30 that evening, Shelby County Line will perform.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis group is rapidly gaining popularity among people of all ages,\u201d he noted. \u201cThey play fresh new country, as well as classic older songs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking the Cooper Farms stage at 9:30 Saturday will be the Mustang Sally Band.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis all-female country, rhythm and blues band from Nashville thrills crowds wherever they perform,\u201d Lee said. When bands are not playing, Ron Birt from Magic Moment Entertainment will be providing DJ services.<\/p>\n