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Pig out at Ribfest Kalamazoo

by Deanne Puca

July 22, 2011 | WMU News

Photo of Ribfest Kalamazoo.
Ribfest Kalamazoo is Aug. 4-6 at Arcadia Creek Festival Place.
KALAMAZOO--Eighties rock band Great White will take the stage for Ribfest Kalamazoo Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 4-6, and this year featuring a cook-off, eating contest and, well, just lots of ribs. Ribfest is a fundraising event for Kalamazoo nonprofit Community Advocates for people with developmental disabilities.

Photo of Ribfest Kalamazoo.
Gates open at 11 a.m. each day at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place.

Thursday: free before 4 p.m; $5 after 4 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: free before 4 p.m.; $5 from 4 to 7 p.m.; $10 after 7 p.m. Must be 18 years or older or with an adult to enter after 7 p.m.
Children 12 and younger admitted free.

Entertainment

Thursday, Aug. 4


Friday, Aug. 5

Saturday, Aug. 6

Events

Thursday, Aug. 4

Best Ribs in Kalamazoo Contest—Restaurants and catering companies in Kalamazoo County promote their ribs in a blind taste test competition for judges, 8 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 5

Sponsor's Choice—A panel of judges sample, in a blind test, the award-winning ribs of eight participating rib vendors, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sug. 6

Kalamazoo Cook-Off—Teams or individuals compete for best ribs. Cost is $50 for amateurs and $75 for professionals with cash prizes. Judges are from the Southwest Michigan Culinary Association Federation chefs along with local food editors, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Children's Events—Hands-on arts and crafts, snow cones, Dino Bounce, face painting, Jingles the Clown and games, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free.

Hog Trough Eating Contest—Rib eating contest includes up to four three-minute heats with starting at 2, 2:20, 2:40 and 3 p.m., with a limit of 24 contestants. Fee is $15. Applicants register at Park Street Market, 512 N. Park St.

Daily

Community Advocates Tent—fine art, crafts and cottage industries for sale.

People's Choice Award voting—awarded Saturday evening, the winner is chosen from results of forms submitted at the voting booth.

For more information, visit ribfestkalamazoo.com or call (269) 388-2830.