Rock and ribs couldn’t better describe the Rock-n-Ribs festival at North Central State College Friday night as visitors enjoyed both features of the event. After days of rain and local flooding, clear skies and comfortable temperatures provided Rock-n-Ribs enthusiasts a welcome break outdoors.
The food was half of the attraction with five rib vendors featured. Smokin’ Joes Hog Wild BBQ, CMJ’s Concessions, Porky Chick’s BBQ , Squeals on Wheels, and Bogey’s Smokin’ Barbecue competed for recognition for the tastiest ribs and sauces.
Music was the other half of the festival’s appeal and “Here Comes the Mummies” had crowd appeal. When Mike Tyler of Mix 106.1 shouted out, “Are you ready to go back to 1500 B.C.?,” the audience shouted back.
With names like Eddie Mummy, Java, K.W. Tut, Spaz, The Pole, Midnight, and Mummy Rah, nothing less than a bandaged-wrapped mummy would do. The 13-piece funk and R&B group are anything but mummified and their music and antics met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the audience. They signed autographs and posed with fans for photos after the concert.
John Faust traveled from Hudson, OH to see the group. He and his daughter Anna even dressed as pharaohs for the occasion. Faust said the show was his thirteenth “Here Come the Mummies” concert in costume, his daughter’s second.
While attendees waited for the show, food and conversation prevailed.
Porky Chicks BBQ of Fayetteville, AR was a first-time participant at the festival. Owner Mark Grant is a member of the National Barbecue Society and learned about the event.
“It’s a good event,” said Grant, “We’re on our way from here to Niles, OH next for a rib cook-off. I’ve been doing this for eight years and I’ve been competing for 15 years.”
North Central State College president Dorey Diab announced two winners at 9:30 p.m. Smokin’ Joes won the acclaim for Best Ribs and CMJ’s Concessions earned the honor for Best Sauce. Both of the vendors are local operations.
Greg and Nita Matern, of Mansfield, enjoyed Smokin’ Joes’ ribs after hearing the recommendation from Joe and Reba Matern. Joe Matern explained that he and his wife tried the ¼ slab testers from the vendor choices and chose Smokin’ Joes as their favorite.
“He was right,” said Greg Matern. Greg and Nita Matern enjoyed the food but they were at Rock-n-Ribs with the Madison wrestling team. The team helps with clean-up and parking at the festival and their earnings from North Central support team expenses.
Mixblues of Mansfield offered pulled pork sandwiches with their own coleslaw recipe and three choices of sauce, including a teriyaki sauce for those who wanted a mild flavor. Mik Ballard and Carol Davis, both of Mansfield, are FDA-approved and bottle their sauces to sell at a number of local outlets.
Barbecue ribs and pulled pork aren’t the only palate-enticing offerings at the festival. There were also apple dumplings and ice cream, roasted nuts, kettle corn; and for those who wanted an alternative to barbecue, there’s fish.
And Budweiser is hosting a Battle of the Brews competition. Their drinks as well as lemonade shakes and other thirst-quenchers are also available.
There is one more night to enjoy ribs and music. Tonights featured artist will be Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The festival opens at 5 p.m. today at 2441 Kenwoood Circle. Admission is $5 until 7 p.m. and $10 after 7.
All proceeds from the event benefit the North Central State College Foundation and are used for student scholarships.
