Jazz and Rib Fest in Columbus - The Best Ribs Around

The Jazz and Rib Fest in Columbus will celebrate its 30th year in July at a new location - The Arena District!

Dates: July 24 - 26, 2009
Hours: Friday and Saturday, 11AM - 10PM, Sunday 11AM - 8PM
New Location: The Arena District: North Bank Park, McFerson Commons, and Spring & Long Streets in downtown Columbus.

Beginning Friday at 11AM, downtown Columbus will become a hotspot for barbecue and jazz connoisseurs. Festival-goers will be able to enjoy music at two stages from jazz artists including Dafnis Prieto, Either/Orchestra, and David Sanborn, among others.

This is one of my favorite festivals! Over 500,000 people attend this dynamic event. Not only is the food excellent but the entertainment is fantastic!

This is the largest rib festival in the USA. More than 30 ribbers from all over serve their special sauces and recipes.

Can you imagine more than 100,000 pounds of ribs are served? Oh and just imagine going from stand to stand and ordering the taste testers! You'll find the best of the best ribs at this festival.

And the entertainment... the jazz is so awesome... check out the line-up this year!!!

2009 Jazz & Rib Fest Peformers

The Jazz & Rib Fest, funded through the generous support of our sponsors, will offer a diverse lineup of artists guaranteed to satisfy the cravings of any jazz connoisseur. Performances will feature touring artists including:

  - Norman Brown's Summer Storm featuring Eric Darius & Grammy award-winning vocalist Patti Austin
  - Dirty Dozen Brass Band
  - Byron Stripling Quartet
  - Donald Harrison
  - Brian Simpson Quartet
  - Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra with Herlin Riley
  - Wess "Warmdaddy" Anderson performing Bird with Strings
  - Mindi Abair
  - Stefon Harris and Blackout
  - Donalson Quartet
  - Pucho Brown and His Latin Soul Brothers
  - Etienne Charles Quintet

Photo by Randall L. Schieber, 2006 Fest

Don't forget to Vote for your favorite ribber!

Photo by Randall L. Schieber, 2006 Fest

The 2009 Winners are...

Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Alan McKnight presented the winning rib burners with trophies Sunday evening. Twenty-two rib burners competed for Critic's Choice, Critic's Hometown Choice, Big Whigs' Pig Award, People’s Choice, and Best Sauce.

The 2009 American Family Insurance Best Ribs Awards Winners

Critic's Choice
Champion: Butch’s BBQ (Mt. Laurel, New Jersey)
Runner-up: Armadillo’s (Youngstown, Ohio)
Third Place: Big Boned BBQ (Malta, Illinois)

Big Whigs' Pig Award
Champion: Porky N’ Beans (Port St. Lucie, Florida)
Runner-up: Cowboy’s BBQ (Weatherford, Texas)

Critic's Hometown Choice
Champion: Smokin' Joe's Ribs (Columbus, Ohio)
Runner-up: Open Hands Catering (Columbus, Ohio)

People's Choice
Champion: Big Boned BBQ (Malta, Illinois)
Runner-up: Butch’s BBQ (Mt. Laurel, New Jersey)

Best Sauce: Porky N’ Beans (Port St. Lucie, Florida)

Photo by Randall L. Schieber, 2006 Fest

The 2009 Jazz and Rib Fest in Columbus Judges

Professional Critics
Jim Budros, Kansas City Barbecue Certified Judge
Dave Roebuck, Kansas City Barbecue Certified Judge
Steve Stover, Kansas City Barbecue Certified Judge
Mike Taylor, Kansas City Barbecue Certified Judge
Jeff Wallace, Kansas City Barbecue Certified Judge
Shawn Surber, Kansas City Barbecue Certified Judge
Jeff Lauback, Callahan's Restaurant
James Anderson, Smackie's BBQ
Steve Stover, Pork Producers of America

Big Whigs' Pig Award Judges
Dale Heydlauff, American Electric Power
Venita McCellon-Allen, American Electric Power
David Spafford, Anheuser- Busch, Inc.
Ron Reynolds, Columbus Distributing
DJ Mike J, Smooth Jazz WJZA 103.5
Gary Morgan, FastTrack Airport Parking
Billy Roberts, Crowne Plaza
The CW Star Brittany, The CW on WWHO-TV
Eric Rickabaugh, Rickabaugh Graphics
Alan McKnight, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department

Congrats to the Winners! Good Luck in 2010!

Hearing Impaired: 1-800-750-0750

For more information and a schedule for the entertainment, please visit the Jazz and Rib Fest Website.