CAROLINA BEACH — Beer, music and barbecue, what’s not to love?
The fifth annual Port City Rib Fest has arrived in Carolina Beach and kicked off Friday at 11 a.m. Music starts at 6:15 p.m. with David Russel and the Port City Blues.
Over the past five years, Rib Fest has brought more than 14 different teams of ribbers from 10 different states to compete. This year, five teams will compete on Rib Row. While in the past the festival took place in the summer in Wilmington but now, organizers decided November made for better outdoor weather for a barbecue festival.
This year, five teams of ribbers will compete in the festival for a panel of judges to be crowned the best.
The Ribbers
The first team on the 2017 Rib Fest lineup is The Island Men, a Pleasure Island local non-profit group whose, “broader purpose is to increase camaraderie among the men of Pleasure Island and the surrounding areas by helping local charities through our local fundraising efforts,” according to the group’s website.
The next team on the lineup hails from Spartanburg S.C. — Gullah Q Low Country BBQ, a mobile barbecue business that specializes in catering and events.
The reigning “People’s Choice Award” winners from the Twin City Rib Fest in Winston-Salem, Dem Boyz BBQN, are also making their way to the Port City Rib Festival this weekend.
Wilmington’s very own Poor Piggy’s BBQ and Catering is the fourth team on the list. Poor Piggy’s can be spotted around the Cape Fear region serving up local barbecue.
The final ribber on the list, Off the Bone BBQ, has traveled all they way from Ohio and has made it’s way around the country most recently, taking third place for best pork in a festival in Kentucky.
More than just ribs
It’s not just about barbecue this weekend, there will also be more than 20 different vendors at Rib Fest, from Ripley’s Aquarium to beef jerky, there is something for everyone.
Tickets to Rib Fest can be purchased online, but you can get in for free from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday. Visitors can purchase a three day ticket for $12, or daily tickets for $8 for adults, $6 for active military and seniors, and children 12 and under free.
VIP tickets can also be purchased for $35 a day, and give visitors access to the VIP tent, a patio, and an open beer bar.
Michael Praats can be reached at Michael.p@localvoicemedia.com
