9th annual VW Rib Fest coming in August

VW Rib Fest information

The ninth annual Van Wert Rib Fest will be held at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday, August 7-8.

Preliminary plans for this year’s event began nine months ago, as the organizing committee met to review the 2014 Rib Fest and decided to make the 2015 event bigger and better than any previous year’s. With the addition of several new vendors and the return of popular events, this year’s Rib Fest is sure to be a crowd pleaser

The Rib Fest Committee also announced this year’s line-up of bands. Beginning at 9:30 p.m. Friday, August 7, a crowd-favorite, The Earthquakers, will be on stage.  These guys call the Erie, Pennsylvania, area home, but have a large and loyal group of followers here in western Ohio.  The band brings a whole new meaning to the term “rock music”.  The Earthquakerrs will be preceded by a local band at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday evening, a newcomer to the Rib Fest, Shelby County Line, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. This group covers an array of new and old country music and classic rock.  The country world is taking notice of this band and they will be playing at CMA Fest in Nashville in June.  Saturday night’s headline band, taking the stage at 9:30 pm, will be the Mustang Sally Band. The Mustang Sally name and brand has become synonymous with “must-see entertainment”. J. D. Cannon, two-time CMA Personality of the Year Country DJ Hall of Fame inductee has said of Mustang Sally, “One of the most amazing acts I’ve ever seen…”.They are sure to bring an outstanding performance to Rib Fest.

The gates to Rib Fest open at 5 pm on Friday and 11 am on Saturday. Larry Lee, Executive Director of the Van Wert Area Convention and Visitors Bureau – the organizers of Rib Fest, said this year’s event will be like none before.  “Each year we try to bring something new to Rib Fest and this year we’re bringing in the biggest name band we’ve had, Mustang Sally. We are also having several new food vendors, meaning attendees will have a total of 13 vendors offering a huge variety of food.  We have vendors coming from as far away as the Cleveland and Akron areas.”

“If people are looking for a great place to have a get-together, whether it’s a class reunion, company picnic, or a family gathering Rib Fest could be just the place,” Lee added.  “Just give us a call at 419-238-9378 and we’ll work with you to make it a memorable occasion.

Lee wants to remind everyone that Rib Fest would not be happening if it were not for the many local business who financially support this community event. “This year’s sponsors include Iberdrola Renewables, Cooper Farms, Citizens National Bank, Scott Equity Exchange, Leland Smith Insurance, First Federal of Van Wert, Pak-a-Sak, Eaton Corporation, Van Wert Propane, Ayers Mechanical Group, Thatcher Insurance, First Bank Of Berne, Van Wert Manor, Fricker’s, GLM Transport, Kenn-Feld Group, Store & Haul, Tecumseh Packaging Solutions, Violet Implement, and WERT/WKSD/vwindependent.”  Lee added that it’s not  too late for additional sponsors to come onboard.  “We have sponsorship packages ranging for $50 to $2,500 and each package has significant rewards for the sponsoring business.  Anyone interested in learning more can call the CVB for more information.”