Jazz & Blues Ribfest slated for Aug. 1 in Olde Pickerington

Music and the smoky scent of barbecue will be in the air Aug.1 when the Pickerington Jazz & Blues Ribfest hits the streets of Olde Pickerington Village.

The corner of Columbus and Center streets in Pickerington will be "Party Central" for scores of revelers who enjoy jazz, blues and barbecue.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the 11th annual Pickerington Jazz & Blues Ribfest will include a day of downtown festivities that won't end until Columbus blues-rocker Willie Phoenix puts down his electric guitar at 11 p.m.

In the hours in between, visitors to the free event will have a chance to sample barbecue from six rib vendors, help judge the festival's best ribs, take in music on two stages, enjoy kids' inflatable rides and peruse Olde Pickerington shops.

"We'll have six rib vendors being judged at the festival, including two new rib vendors who've never been to our festival," said Keely Weaver, who has chaired the local Ribfest since 2006. "We'll also have other food vendors and other vendors that will be selling their wares, and our downtown shops will be open during the festival."

At the city of Pickerington's request, the festival's main stage and beer garden this year will be relocated to the corner of Columbus and Center streets. Live music will be performed on the main stage from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

In addition to Phoenix, who will make his third consecutive appearance at Ribfest, the Pittsburgh-based group Mahajibee Blues will play the main stage from 6 to 8 p.m. The band's concert will mark the first time an act from outside central Ohio has played the Ribfest.

A second stage also will feature performances from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the opposite end of the festival. It will showcase local youth performers and solo and duo acts, Weaver said.

In addition to the music, food will be a source of entertainment.

Angela An of WBNS-10TV will serve as a celebrity judge on a panel which will hand out first-, second, and third-place rib awards. A "People's Choice Award" also will be presented, based on votes from festival visitors.

Weaver said past Ribfests have drawn more than 12,000 people to Olde Pickerington, and a similar turnout is expected this year.

"It's free and open to the public," she said. "The beer garden will be a lot more open and a little larger this year to accommodate the growing crowds."

Limited seating is available and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs to Ribfest. Coolers are prohibited, however.

This year's Ribfest is sponsored by Giant Eagle and the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association. Additional information, including a complete schedule of music performances, is available online at www.pickeringtonvillage.com.