Second annual 'Ribs & Blues Fest' slated for Saturday in Roachdale

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

By Nick Wilson Staff Writer

ROACHDALE -- For the second straight year, the Roachdale Revitalization Cooperative Alliance (RRCA) will present its annual Ribs & Blues Fest on the first Saturday of October on Railroad Street in Roachdale.

Though the event is free to the public, donations will be accepted and appreciated upon entry.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, this culinary competition will run through 11 p.m. and is set to feature stellar performances by three local barbecues and four different music acts while being highlighted by a rib-roast and beer and wine gardens. A Carquest Cruise-In will begin at noon.

Gracing the Spear Corporation Stage for the second year will be Joel and Tosh Everson of War Radio, Tad Robinson, Blues Side Up and Wingnuts.

However, standing tall above the rest will be this year's winner of the coveted First Place Spatula in the rib competition. Entrants include members from Smokehouse Barbecue, Norvell's Barbecue and Hog'N It All.

Last year's winners were Tony Riggen, Ron Ropp and Brian Roeden in first, second and third places, respectively, decided by Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Susan Crosby, Gail Smith, Charley Riggle, Sam Fry and Marshal Mike Mahoy. This year's panel of judges will include Alan Zerkel, Debbie Winger, Susan Price and Jason Hartman.

Smith, Riggle and Mahoy just may be the luckiest people at the festival as they are set reprise their 2014 roles as annual judges.

The weather is anticipated to be more outdoor-friendly than last year's chilly 40-degree temperatures when many families chose to avoid the cold by finding warmth in the Northside Meeting House near festival grounds.

Attendance numbers last year (the festival's inauguration) were around 100 people at any given time. Many more are expected this year.

This Roachdale Concert Music Series event has grown from a private backyard barbecue contest between town board members Susan Leak and Kevin Kearns and has now become an annual event.

A Kids' Activity Area will be available and is sponsored by the Roachdale Public Library.

For more information, contact the RRCA at roachdalerca@yahoo.com or visit www. roachdalerca.org.

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you had me at ribs....

-- Posted by DEPAUW11 on Wed, Sep 30, 2015, at 11:33 AM
Sam Fry is also a returning annual judge. It has not been confirmed that the rib vendors will compete. But it would make for some fun and interesting competition with the local competitors!

-- Posted by marvel_s_lee_blessed on Wed, Sep 30, 2015, at 1:17 PM
The North Putnam Jazz Band will also perform early afternoon.

-- Posted by marvel_s_lee_blessed on Wed, Sep 30, 2015, at 9:41 PM
This is the first Saturday, October 3, and not the second Saturday as reported!!

-- Posted by jake71 on Wed, Sep 30, 2015, at 11:06 PM
One more correction... Suzanne Leeke and Kevin Kerns (names misspelled above) are not Roachdale Town Board members. They are members of RRCA and merely offered up their annual backyard Ribfest to this event.

-- Posted by marvel_s_lee_blessed on Fri, Oct 2, 2015, at 9:07 AM

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