Bringin' The Heat
Rock‘n Ribs is a non-negotiable event for locals who are on the barbecue trail.
People take their barbecue seriously around here. But for one Springfield couple, their barbecue endeavors aren’t just for grins and dinner, but a steady income. And it all began at Rock’n Ribs.
Rock’n Ribs is an annual event at which crowds flock to the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World parking lot to fill up on a variety of tender, smoky goodies and support several local children’s charities.
“We had never really barbecued professionally until 2002,” says Mike Peters, who with his wife, Chris, has won an armful of awards at Rock’n Ribs since they started competing at the festival. Mike and Chris earned second place in the tri-tip contest their first year.
“Then we were hooked,” Mike says.
Each year, the couple’s involvement and wins in the event have grown. Mike has been on the executive committee for the event since 2003. After the couple’s first few wins, Mike and Chris quit their jobs to join a tour team to travel the country promoting barbecue. “We do grilling demonstrations, show people the difference between slow and low barbecuing and grilling, which is over high heat,” Chris says. The couple’s trail will take them as far west as California and as far east as New Jersey. They will attend 25 barbecue events between March and October, including Rock’n Ribs.
The 411What: Rock‘n Ribs |
Want to taste the Rock’n Ribs fare? Sampling begins at 1:15 p.m. on April 18, after which lines will begin forming at the booths of yearly favorites.
A big draw this year is 11 hours of non-stop music, much of which will be provided by the winners of the GO Magazine Music Awards. For more on the GO Music Awards, click here.
Rock’n Ribs doesn’t end when the barbecue is gone on Saturday afternoon. New features include a heated, all-weather big-top tent, authentic Sprint Cup racecars (including Dale Earnhardt, No. 3) and wine and Starbucks coffee vending options. “We’ll also have expanded parking options for patrons,” says event coordinator Kristin McDaniel.
This perennially popular event raises money for five local children’s charities.
Boogy With the Best of Barbecue
Rock ‘n Ribs has a full weekend of events planned for those who like it sweet, tender and smoky.
FRIDAY
6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
V.I.P. PREVIEW PARTY
If you want a condensed version of Rock ‘n Ribs, this is the event to go to. Samples will be served, music will be played and fun will be had by all. Bands include Steve Smith and the Sneakers from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and M-Dock from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $10.
SATURDAY
10 a.m.
GATES OPEN
Come support several children’s charities while eating and grooving. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the gate.
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
KICK OFF – GO MUSIC AWARDS
Rock out to some .
1:15 p.m.
START SAMPLING
Begin at whatever booth strikes your fancy and slurp your way through them all. When you’re too full to eat another bite, vote for your favorite.
3:15 to 4 p.m.
PIE-EATING CONTEST
Bring Johnny or Sally and let them compete with other kids to see who really has the biggest mouth.
3:30-8:15 p.m.
BEST BAND SHOWCASE
The five finalists for the GO Music Awards’ Best Band contest will play all after. Stick around for the awards ceremony to discover which band is the best in town.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
417 MAGAZINE BBQ DINNER PARTY
A gourmet dinner from the 2008 Rock ‘n Ribs winners will be accompanied by live music, fine wines—pinot grigio and Old Vine red zinfandel—and beer from Anheuser Busch. Guests will get the opportunity to to meet Anheuser-Busch Brew Master David Ammons.
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
BBQ TEAMS AWARDS CEREMONY
Presented at the Kansas City Barbecue Society stage, find out who has the best barbecued chicken, beef and pork.
8:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Pearl and Sequel dose will set the stage for a night of groovy tunes.
9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Headliner Sequel Dose will serenade you with their classic rock sound under the big tent at the main stage.
