Rib Off

Yes, You have to by tickets first. The Andersons is the main sponsor and they are selling tickets at all Toledo area stores, not sure of the cost. Check at the Andersons.

The one in downtown T town was the best before they splintered off. It was an event. Now, both are kind of lame. I think I read tix for the Lucas County Fairgrounds one is 8 bucks. There was a write up in the blade online, check that out.

My girl and I went last year, was pretty fun. The food was excellent, overall the people were very friendly and had cooks from all over the country (at least some from Texas) :)

The two area rib-offs occur on back-to-back weekends at the beginning of August. The old Northwest Ohio Rib-Off that was held in downtown Toledo is now located at the Lucas County Fairgrounds. I think this is the third summer for that rib-off to be held at the fairgrounds. A new downtown Toledo rib-off was created to replace the Northwest Ohio Rib-Off.

Downtown Toledo

The rib-off called Smoke on the Water Ribs for the Red Cross is this weekend, Aug 1-3 at Promenade Park.

Latest info :

Scheduled for August 1 through August 3, along the banks for the Maumee River in downtown Toledo, Smoke on the Water - Ribs for the Red Cross features some of the best local and national BBQ rib vendors along with top national entertainment. Admission is just $3; children 12 and under are free. Also, there is free admission on Friday until 5 p.m.

Confirmed vendors, and their hometown, include:

• Big Moe's BBQ & Catering (Kalamazoo)
• Black Kettle BBQ (Toledo)
• Chicago Barbeque Co. (Burr, Ridge, Ill.)
• Famous Dave's (Toledo)
• Po Mo's (Toledo)
• Sidelines Sports Eatery & Pub (Lambertville)
• TJ's Catering (Toledo)
• Tom's BBQ (Toledo)

Friday, August 1 - Country Day

11:30 to 1 p.m.: Johnny Rodriguez
5 to 6:15 p.m.: Bandera
6:30 to 8 p.m.: Haywire
8:30 to 10 p.m.: Country music star Julie Roberts

Saturday, August 2 - Rock Day

1 to 2:30 p.m.: Argyle Everything
3 to 4:15 p.m.: Resonant Soul
4:30 to 5:45 p.m.: NuTones
6 to 6:30 p.m.: Famous Dave's Pulled Pork Eating Championship
6:45 to 8 p.m.: We Are the Fury
8:30 to 10 p.m.: Alternative rockers Eve 6

Sunday, August 3 - Family Day

1 to 2:15: Old Dogs
2:30 to 4 p.m.: Polka Floyd
4:15 to 4:30: Golden Pig Award and People's Choice Awards announced
4:30 to 6 p.m.: Candice Coleman

Lucas County Fairgrounds

From doToledo.org about the Northwest Ohio Rib-off :

Did the Maumee rib off last year, bought the special tickets for the Pat Benetar show. General admission, we sat really early and had good seats. Some old ex-cop type guy tells us he's reserving the row-a good 20 seats-for his friends. Uh, whatever, we moved up.

People start complaining, the place is filling up except for his row, the guys kicking people out. Making a big scene. We were waiting for his butt to get kicked. If you were there that night you saw it. He denies everything to the people running the show, now he's Mr Friendly.

So the rib off people running the concert give him envelopes so he can write "reserved" on the seats. Uh? What? It's general admission.

A few minutes before the show the rest of his people show up carrying pop, ice cream , cotton candy, etc.

They handled it terribly. I'll go and pay the $8, but not the $25 for special seating at the concert.

Ahhhh.....super-hot, messy ribs....just in time for the ungodly heat and humidity that's arriving...and almost always does while these things are going on. No, thanks. As I've said before-if they want to put one of these on in say, March-May or Sept.-November, maybe.