7 Reasons Why You Can’t Miss Jazz & Rib Fest

It’s that time again! The 2017 Jazz & Rib Fest is just around the corner and we are full speed ahead with a list of seven things not to miss this weekend!

1.) Out of this World Performances

Get down and boogie with our show stopping list of headliners:

Kenny Garrett Quintet: Friday | 9:30 PM | American Electric Stage
Jonathan Butler & Gerald Albright: Saturday | 9:30 PM | American Electric Stage
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Sunday at 7:00 PM
Jazz Funk Soul Featuring Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp and Paul Jackson: Saturday | 9:00 Pm | Genoa Park Stage
Papo Vazquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours: Saturday | 9:30 PM | Genoa Park Stage
Miles Electric Band: Sunday | 7:00 PM | Genoa Park Stage
Rebirth Brass Band: Friday | 9:30 PM | West Bank Stage
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe: Saturday | 9:00 PM | West Bank Stage
Maysa: Sunday | 7:00 PM | West Bank Stage

2.) 23 Smokin’ Hot Rib Teams

You’ll be hungry after all that dancing and we’ve got you covered! Pig out with our 23 fabulous rib teams!

Armadillo’s – Richfield, OH
Austin’s Texas Lightning BBQ – Burr Ridge, IL
Bad Wolf Barbecue – Toronto, ON, Canada
BBQ Masters – Stockbridge, GA
Big Boned BBQ Co. – Ravenel, SC
Butch’s Smack Your Lips BBQ – Mt. Laurel, NJ
Carolina Rib King – Moore, SC
Chicago BBQ Co. – Burr Ridge, IL
Cowboy’s BBQ & Rib Co. – Weatherford, TX
Desperado’s BBQ & Rib Co. – Hinckley, OH
Howling Coyote BBQ – Chicago, IL
Jack on the Bone – Massillon, OH
Johnson’s BBQ – Chesapeake, VA
Just North of Memphis BBQ –  Annadale, MN
Mojo’s Rib Shack – Diamond, OH
Pigfoot BBQ Cooking Team. – Mentor, OH
Pigtails BBQ Co. – West Salem, OH
Porky’ N’ Beans – Port Saint Lucie, FL
Texas Outlaw BBQ – Elizabethtown, KY
Texas Pit Bbarbeque – Willis, TX
Barbeque – Mansfield, OH
Smokin’ T’s BBQ – Bedford, OH

The Rib Awards presented by Moo Moo Express Car Wash are at the Genoa Park Stage at 6 PM Sunday! Don’t forget to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award powered by (614)Magazine before 5:00 PM on Sunday at VoteRibs.com. Fill out an event survey at the end for a chance to win a JRF t-shirt, Columbus Blue Jackets signed hockey stick and a $50 Marathon gas gift card.

3.) Cool off at the ABC 6/ FOX 28 Pavilion

We know it gets hot with all the sizzling ribs and we have just the trick! Become an ABC 6 fan and cool off at the same time! Conveniently located at the heart of the festival, relax under the shade of the ABC 6/FOX 28 Pavilion on the corner of Rich Street and Civic Center Drive. Stop by the pavilion for a hand fan and meet your favorite news anchors. Don’t miss a live broadcast on Friday July 21 at 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM!

4.) Enjoy Our Craft Beer Selection

This year we will have a list of premium beverages provided by Anheuser-Busch. Enjoy our craft draught selection which includes Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Beer, Wolf Pup Session IPA, Devils Backbone Vienna Lager and Stella Artois. We will also be pouring Bud Light , Budweiser, Michelob Ultra and Shock Top. Sip on a can of Best Damn Sweet Tea and Bud Light Lime or enjoy Copa Divino’s Pinot Grigio and Merlot.

5.) Paddle in the City with HERO USA

Join HERO USA and the American Kayak Association for your very own riverfront adventure! ACA certified instructors will be conducting Level 1 safety education courses designed to get even the most inexperienced person on the water. Then take in the sights & sounds of the festival enjoying a half hour paddle on the beautifully restored Scioto River. A $15 activity fee supports HERO USA’s community-based youth outdoor education programs.
On-site registration is available on a first come, first serve basis. This is a popular activity, so reserve your space early!

PADDLE IN THE CITY HOURS:
Friday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM |
Saturday and Sunday: Noon to 7:30 PM
Note: Last boats go out at 7:30 PM

6.) Family Fun Festival Features

Are you a sports fan? Spin the prize wheel to win tickets to the opening game with the Columbus Blue Jackets or test your speed and accuracy at the Columbus Crew SC kick wall to win exclusive prizes! Are you a Buckeye fan? Snap a selfie and test your trivia skills to show off your Buckeye Pride with Buckeye Mobile Tour.
COSI will be onsite with BOOMing science experience including live demonstrations and the opportunity to play, explore and learn about science with your family and friends!

7.) Catch a Ride with car2go and Hopper Carts

We will get you where you need to go with Hopper Carts and car2go!
Head to Jazz & Rib Fest with car2go and park for free. Park on Main Street between Ludlow and Front Street at the dedicated car2go Drop Zone. Not a member yet? Join for free and get $5 of free drive time with promo code: JAZZY (expires July 23rd, 2017).

Hopper Carts is excited to offer a free to ride, on demand, eco-friendly ride sharing service that will take you right to and from the festival from the Short North and downtown area. To request a ride simply download the app and Hopper Cart will take you from your door to the drop off point at the festival. If you need a ride home or back to your car during the festival, just walk to their pick up point at Civic Center Drive and Rich Street. Remember to tip your driver so the hop don’t stop!

For more information on the 2017 Jazz & Rib Fest visit: http://www.hotribscooljazz.org/ or follow Jazz & Rib Fest on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JazzAndRibFest/