Ribfest comes to Kalamazoo
KALAMAZOO—Country singer Travis Tritt will take the stage for Ribfest Kalamazoo, which runs Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 2-4. Now in its 21st year, Ribfest also features a cook-off, eating contest, children's events and an arts and crafts sale. It is a fundraising event for Kalamazoo nonprofit Community Advocates for people with developmental disabilities.
Gates open at 11 a.m. each day at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Admission is free Thursday before 4 p.m. and $5 after 4 p.m. Admission Friday and Saturday is free before 4 p.m., $5 from 4 to 7 p.m., and $10 after 7 p.m. Guests must be 18 years or older or with an adult to enter after 7 p.m. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.
Entertainment
Thursday, Aug. 2
- 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Flashing Blue Lights
- 6 to 7:30 p.m., Suckerpush
- 8 to 9:30 p.m., We Know Jackson
- 10 to 11:30 p.m., Stellar Road
Friday, Aug. 3
- 5:30 to 7 p.m., Blue Effect
- 7:30 to 9 p.m., Wayland
- 9:30 to 11 p.m., Skid Row
- 11:30 p.m. to 1:15 a.m., InCustody
Saturday, Aug. 4
- 11am to 2 p.m., Kalamazoo Academy of Rock
- 5:30 to 7 p.m., Shelagh Brown
- 7:30 to 9 p.m., Parmalee
- 9:30 to 11 p.m., Travis Tritt
Events
Thursday, Aug. 2
- Best Ribs in Kalamazoo Contest—Restaurants and catering companies in Kalamazoo County promote their ribs in a blind taste test competition for judges, 8 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 3
- Sponsor's Choice—A panel of judges sample, in a blind test, the award-winning ribs of eight participating rib vendors, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 4
- Kalamazoo Cook-Off—Teams or individuals compete for best ribs. Cost is $50 for amateurs and $75 for professionals with cash prizes. Judges are from the Southwest Michigan Culinary Association Federation chefs along with local food editors, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Children's Events—Hands-on arts and crafts, snow cones, Dino Bounce, face painting, Jingles the Clown and games, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free.
- Hog Trough Eating Contest—Rib eating contest includes up to four three-minute heats with starting at 2, 2:20, 2:40 and 3 p.m., with a limit of 24 contestants. It is free to enter. Applicants register at Park Street Market, 512 N. Park St.
Daily
- Community Advocates Tent—fine art, crafts and cottage industries for sale.
- People's Choice Award voting--awarded Saturday evening, the winner is chosen from results of forms submitted at the voting booth.
For more information, visit ribfestkalamazoo.com or call (269) 388-2830.