The City of Akron presents Rib White and Blue, Akron’s National Rib Festival, July 1st through the 4th on South Main Street in downtown Akron. Admission is FREE all 4 days, and gates open at 11am.

This year, twelve rib vendors from 7 states vie for cash prizes and bragging rights in the “Best Of” competition. The masters of the barbeque are coming from Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Vendors include:
Texas Pit BBQ: Texas Pig Foot BBQ: Ohio
Carolina Rib King: South Carolina Big Boned BBQ: South Carolina
Cowboy’s BBQ: Texas Pig Tails BBQ: Ohio
BBQ Master: Georgia Porky Chicks BBQ: Arkansas
Jack on the Bone BBQ: Ohio Bad Wolfe BBQ: Virginia
Bad Azz BBQ: Pennsylvania Fine Smoke BBQ: Ohio

In addition to barbecue, the festival also features the following other vendors:
The Pierogi Lady (pierogis and sausages)
Judy’s Concessions (sausage/steak sandwich, fries cheese, bloomin’ onions)
Quaker Corp Concessions (funnel cake, birch beer)
Gift Concessions (fries, roasted corn, lemonade, ice cream)
Otterbacher Concessions (candy apples, pop corn, cotton candy)

Music from Lock 3’s Cleveland Clinic Akron General Stage during the 4-day festival features tributes to Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi and The Eagles; plus The Akron Symphony Orchestra will perform a July 4th pops concert ending with the City of Akron’s official fireworks finale at 9:45 p.m.

The music schedule is as follows:

Friday July 1
Bruce in the U.S.A: World’s Number One Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (8:30 p.m.)
Vanity Crash (6:30 p.m.)

Saturday July 2
Slippery When Wet the Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute (8:30 p.m.)
Electric Mudd (6:30 p.m.)

Sunday July 3
Hotel California, The Original Tribute to The Eagles (8:30 p.m.)
Zach and the Bright Lights (6:30 p.m.)
Special performance by NEO Salvation Army Divisional Band Masters (12:00-2:00 p.m.)

Monday July 4
Akron Symphony Orchestra (8:00 p.m.)
Freedom Brass Band (6:00 p.m.)
Alex Bevan (4:00 p.m.)

There will also be inflatables for children. Rides are available by purchasing tickets at the site.

Notes About The Festival and Concerts:
•The Rib, White & Blue Festival is on South Main Street between University and Bowery Streets and this part of Main Street will be closed off to traffic.

•Parking is FREE after 6pm on Fridays and weekends at all city owned parking decks and lots.

•Handicapped parking is available at the State Street deck, which has an elevator to the Lock 3 level, or at Cascade Plaza, where handicapped parking is available by entering at Mill Street and following the ramp up to Lock 4 (parking level 2, Orange).