Smoke Signals Return of Ribfest

Joshua Resnick

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 15 - 18

Where there's smoke, there's fire — and normally cause for alarm. But if you happen to catch a wisp or whiff of hardwood burning in Perry Square this week, you're only in danger of a real stick-to-your-ribs lunch or dinner.

So don't worry about letting your guard down — in fact it might be okay if you get a little sauced — as Erie's 30th Annual Wild Rib Cook Off & Music Festival returns after a 16-month hiatus. Nine decorated rib teams hailing from the local, regional, and national circuits (some who have even been featured on Food Network) will vie for smoky supremacy over the event's four days, with "Best Ribs," "Best Sauce," and "People's Choice" awards at stake. In the meantime, a full rack of entertainers and vendors will be on hand to help everyone digest their big decision.

The nine BBQ batteries battling for bragging rights include:

1. Armadillo's BBQ (Youngstown, Ohio)
2. Carolina Rib King (Spartansburg, S.C.)
3. Cowboy's BBQ & Rib Co. (Dallas, Tex.)
4. Desperados BBQ & Rib Co. (Huntsville, Ohio)
5. Fine Smoke BBQ (Columbus, Ohio)
6. Jim's Smokin' Que (Pittsburgh)
7. Outlaw Barbecue Revolution (Erie)
8. Pigfoot BBQ Cooking Team (Cleveland)
9. Underdog BBQ (Erie)

Musical lineups for the festival are as follows:

Wednesday, Sept. 15

4:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Skylar Otto-Smith

7 to 10 p.m. — Acoustic Ear Candy

Thursday, Sept. 16

4:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Me & The Boy

7 to 10 p.m. — Six Year Stretch

Friday, Sept. 17

4:30 to 7 p.m. — Thirst N Howl

8 to 11 p.m. — Hooligans Holiday

Saturday, Sept. 18

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Rock School Studios Youth Bands

2 to 3 p.m. — Bass Bandage + Doc Proto

3 to 4 p.m. — Life Thru Music

4 to 7 p.m. — Urban Ranch

8 to 11 p.m. — Remixx

Even as the meat falls off the bone, the event hopes to be what it's always been — part of the connective sinew bringing local and regional businesses, musicians, and service groups together. 

Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.  and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. // Perry Square // Free admission // erieribfest.com