Ribfest highlighted by musical performances
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Kalamazoo's annual Ribfest is a three-day event at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in Kalamazoo. One of the original downtown festivals, Ribfest has been held for more than three decades and attracts 10,000 people each summer.
This year's festival is set for Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 3-5.
Proceeds from the Kalamazoo Ribfest will benefit the Arc Community Advocates, which works with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities to empower them to live a life that is fully inclusive.
About Ribfest
The event features national and local vendors that sell ribs and chicken in original barbecue sauces. To complement the ribs, additional food vendors will be offering side items and sweet treats to top off the culinary experience.
The event will also bring in national rock and country musical artists, local bands, plenty of fun activities including children's crafts and games, a People's Choice Rib Competition and a contest for Best Ribs in Kalamazoo.
Gates open at 11 a.m. daily at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place and close at 11:30 p.m. Thursday and 12:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Entry is free every day before 4 p.m. and $10 after 4 p.m. Children 12 and younger with an adult are free. Admission to the Best Ribs in Kalamazoo Tent is $25 Thursday night only. VIP tickets are $50 for Friday and Saturday and include access to a no-waiting entry gate, a VIP tent with premier seating close to the stage, a VIP beer line and private portable bathrooms.
Entertainment this year includes more than 10 bands ranging from local artist to nationally touring groups. Featured entertainment includes Union Guns on Thursday, Grand Funk Railroad on Friday, and Rev Run on Saturday.
About Union Guns
Union Guns offers an eclectic mix featuring country folk with a pop edge. Comprised of mostly West Michigan natives, Union Guns' songs are a well-rounded mix of blue collar attitude. Their unique sound flows from the member's influences; half come from a rock background, while the others are country born and raised.
About Grand Funk Railroad
Originating from Flint, Michigan, in 1969, this top-selling American rock group of the 1970s is known as "The American Band." The high-energy five-piece group will play 40 shows across the country this year. Grand Funk laid the groundwork for such bands as Foreigner, Journey, Van Halen and Bon Jovi with its signature hard-driving sound, soulful vocals, muscular instrumentation and forceful pop melodies. Throughout their career, Grand Funk has had 19 charted singles, eight Top-40 hits and two No. 1 singles including "We're An American Band" and "Locomotion," both selling more than 1 million each. The group has accumulated 13 gold and 10 platinum records with sales in excess of 25 million copies sold worldwide.
About Rev Run
Joseph "Rev Run" Simmons is a pioneering musician, an accomplished author, a fashion mogul, and the star of MTV's hit reality television show "Run's House." Beginning his career as one of the three members of the rap group known as "Run DMC," Simmons and his pioneering rap group are often attributed to putting hip-hop on the musical map. Run DMC's collaboration with Aerosmith on the legendary track "Walk This Way," gave birth to a fusion of rap and hip-hop that has since inspired an entirely new wave of music.
For more information, visit kalamazooribfest.com
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.