VAN WERT – Rib Fest, now in its 12th year kicks off Friday and heads on into Saturday with a list of events and food vendors.
This
year’s food vendor line-up includes After Hours BBQ from Orrville,
Ohio; BG’s Main Event from Rittman, Ohio; Low & Slow BBQ from Fort
Wayne, Indiana; Pigtails BBQ from West Salem, Ohio; Smoke Shack BBQ from
Pickerington, Ohio; and Timmy’s BBQ from Garrett, Indiana.
The
event kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m. with the opening entertainment act,
Backlit 419 with local artists Bayley Tow and drummer Eli Jones.
Also
on Friday, Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ is sponsoring a rib-eating contest
starting at 6 p.m. This year’s participants will be Van Wert County
First Responders. Come on out and see who can eat the most ribs in five
minutes.
On Friday, country band Shelby County Line will perform
at 6:30 p.m. Following their performance, The Poets and Pirates: Kenny
Chesney Tribute Band will perform at 9 p.m. The night will end at
midnight.
On Saturday morning, the 12th annual Rib Fest Wiffleball
Tournament will begin at 8 a.m. Then, at 1 p.m., the annual Corn Hole
Tournament will begin. There will be cash prizes with a 100 percent
payout.
Registration for the Rib Fest Car Show will begin at 3
p.m. on Saturday. Pre-registration can also be completed by going to the
Rib Fest website and downloading the entry form. Registration is $10
per vehicle. Categories include best GM, Ford, Mopar, Import, Truck,
Patina, Farthest Traveled, Oldest Car, and Young Gun (Young Builder).
Custom Trophy awards will be presented at 7 p.m.
The Van Wert
County United Way will be dropping their pigs in the “When Pigs Fly”
event at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Pigs are available at the United Way office
(136 E. Main St.), from any United Way Board member, and any remaining
pigs will be available prior to the drop at the event. Pigs are $5 each
or five for $20. Grand prize, for the closest pig to the target, is $500
and second prize, for the farthest pig from the target, is $100.
Also
on Saturday, pig races will be held at 4:30 p.m. The races are
organized by the Van Wert County 4-H with proceeds going to 4-H
programs. Citizens will be able to place bets on their favorite pigs.
For
entertainment on Saturday, Hot-n-Nasty will be making their third
appearance at Rib Fest starting at 4:30 p.m. Following Hot-n-Nasty,
Moving in Stereo: The Cars Tribute will perform at 6:45 p.m. Then,
BREAKOUT: The Bon Jovi Experience will be on stage to end the night from 9 p.m. until midnight.
Admission and parking for the event are free thanks to area sponsors.