“What did I say to the rib bone? Nice gnawing you,” joked 7-year-old Ben Jester as he nibbled off the last bits of meat from his collection of ribs at Saturday’s 3rd annual Rock-N-Ribs Festival.
Thanks to the biggest crowd in history and the closest competitions ever in the Rib Burn Off and the Battle of the Bands, organizers of the event say it was a rousing success.
Thousands of people came through to enjoy food, drinks, and music at the Ohio State University Marion/Marion Technical College campus on Saturday.
In the Rib Burn Off, five contestants took part including Baire’s Deli, Taste Bud’s Catering, Michael’s Steakhouse, Conway’s BBQ, and the Marion Country Club. The celebrity judges, who included Mayor Scott Schertzer and WDCM listener Lynne Evans, had a hard time reaching a conclusion but in the end, The Marion Country Club barely edged Michael’s Steakhouse.
There was a measure of revenge for Lou Mastro, owner of the Michael’s Steakhouse. Although the other four were close in votes to each other, Michael’s was the overwhelming Fan’s Choice Award winner.
The Battle of the Bands, which featured 10 bands competing for $250, 10 hours of recording time, and a co-headlining spot at next year’s festival, came down to just one point. Celebration Christian Church, who finished in a tie for third in last year’s competition, and Scene of The Crime went toe-to-toe, but the final tallies gave the title of Marion’s Best Band to Scene of the Crime by a single point. Hard rockers Chucknorus finished third.
Rob Whalen, a co-organizer of the event, said, “From year one to year two it grew very, very well but in year three, coming out here to this campus, it exploded. From an entertainment standpoint, you have a full day of great rock in a beautiful setting, and the food is tremendous.”
Whalen also added, “And, all the proceeds go to the best cause of all, kids.”
The proceeds from the event go towards scholarships for OSUM and MTC students, a program for elementary music education, and help with pay-to-play fees.
People came from all over the state and others as well. A group of people traveled from Cleveland to see closing act Mojo Risin’, who ended the night with a flashback to a 1968 Doors concert.
And seven-year-old jokester Ben? He and his family came all the way from Chicago.
