Carolina Beach — It’s official: Port City RibFest is moving to Carolina Beach. Today the festival officially announced it has a new location and a new attitude. (Same name though.)
After Port City RibFest producer Allen McDavid was unable to arrange to hold this year’s event in downtown Wilmington, he approached Carolina Beach’s Town Council. After some debate, the town agreed to host the event in November; the 2017 Port City RibFest will be held near the town’s boardwalk, in the area occupied by the carnival and amusement rides over the summer.
According to McDavid, this year’s festivities will have a simplified philosophy to go along with its new location.
“In past RibFests, we offered some really alternative entertainment, like side shows and Lucha Libre wrestling,” McDavid said. “(This year) we’re going back to a simple mix, hot BBQ, cool music and cold Beer.”
McDavid said this year’s event will also feature more local barbecue teams in the competition, at the request of Carolina Beach mayor Dan Wilcox. One local team has already signed up, Poor Piggy’s BBQ. Several national BBQ teams have also committed, Johnson’s BBQ of Portsmouth, Virginia, and Off the Bone BBQ from Columbus, Ohio.
Musical acts will include The Phantom Playboys, The Unity Band and David Russell & the Port City Blues, as well as several traveling bands.
Port City Ribfest’s inaugural Carolina Beach event will run three days:
- Friday, November 10, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Saturday, November 11, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Sunday, November 12, noon – 6 p.m.
Admission for adults is $8, children 12 and under are free. Seniors and active military get in for $6. Anyone who shows up before 5 PM on Friday get in free. Attendees bringing a can of food for the Food Bank of Eastern NC will receive a $2 discount.
Port City RibFest will donate $1 from each adult admission charge to the Federal Point Help Center.
