ESCANABA – Downtown Escanaba’s second annual Ribfest will be even bigger and better than last year, with twice the meat and extended hours.
The event kicks off the Krusin’ Klassics weekend Friday with entertainment, classic cars and delicious ribs, while also benefitting local non-profit organizations. Ribfest starts at 3 p.m. Friday and goes on until the meat is gone with entertainment until 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 for the public, $5 for Krusin Klassics participants with a white button and $5 for kids 12 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket. Friday, at 2 p.m. sharp, the 1000 through 1200 blocks of Ludington Street will be roped off for the event. Many store merchants will have specials going on throughout the day and Krusin Klassics Fun Run vehicles will be on display. Local restaurants will have booths set up on the sidewalks, where they’ll be serving up their own style of rib-sticking ribs. Participating restaurants are the Stonehouse, Pacinos, Island Resort & Casino, the Rusty Rail, The Ludington Grill, Ramido’s, Mama Mia’s Italian Restaurant, Downtowner Restaurant and Escanaba Country Club. There will be twice the amount of meat as there was last year, and all 1,646 pounds of it is provided by Viau’s Market of Escanaba. A panel of judges will decide on the winning recipe and restaurant. This year’s panel of celebrity judges will include some faces from local media outlets including the Daily Press, Radio Results Network and TV-6.
Once attendees are sufficiently stuffed, they can relax and enjoy the entertainment, which includes the Krusin Klassics Fun Run Parade at 7 p.m. and is followed by a performance from the Flat Broke Blues Band.