Rib America Festival – St. Louis, MO

Have you ever heard of Rib America Festivals?? There are actually 3 different festivals, one in St. Louis, MO, one in Des Moines, IA, and one in Indianapolis, IN. We attend the Rib Fest in St. Louis, MO. It is held over Memorial Day weekend. We went last year and had a really good time even though it rained like crazy one afternoon and left the area around the porta potties like a giant mud hole (if the forecast says rain, don’t wear your favorite shoes). The music was great and made up for it. Last year we heard Pat Benatar, Night Ranger and Ric Emmitt (former frontman for Triumph). We were only able to attend one of the days last year. We missed Jackyl and Molly Hatchet. Night Ranger was awesome though. The keyboardist was originally from Great White and one of the guitarists was from Winger. Everyone else was an original member. Their stage presence was great because they were full of energy, all over the place, interacting with the crowd during the whole show. I hope they are that good again this year.

Here is the line up for the 2008 Rib Fest in St Louis!

Friday line up

6:00 – 8:00 PM – Beatlemania Live
9:00 – 10:30 PM Dennis DeYoung (music of STYX)

Saturday line up

1:30 – 3:00 PM – Georgia Satellites
4:00 – 5:30 PM – Atlanta Rhythm Section
6:30 – 8:00 PM – Cowboy Mouth
9:00 – 10:30 PM – KC & the Sunshine Band

Sunday line up

1:30 – 3:00 PM – The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
4:00 – 5:30 PM – Blind Melon
6:30 – 8:00PM – Jonny Lang
9:00 – 10:30 PM – Night Ranger

Monday line up

Noon – 1:30 PM – The Fabulous Motown Review
2:00 – 3:30 PM – Head East
4:30 – 6:00 PM – Cross Canadian Ragweed
7:00 – 8:00 PM – .38 Special

This year the festival starts on Friday, May 23 at 11:00 AM. Admission is free if you get there before 5:00 PM. After 5:00 PM it is $5.00 and children 12 and under are free. Saturday through Monday, free admission is until 1:00 PM.

The Festival also offers limited VIP seating.  The tickets are $30 and include a voucher good for $10 worth of tickets for food and drinks.  The tickets are sold by the day.  Last year there was an area right in front of the stage roped off and there were folding chairs set up.  I’m assuming it will be the same this year.  We purchased tickets for Sunday night because we wanted to be right up front for Night Ranger. We got our tickets through Ticket Master. Here’s the link to get yours!

The BBQ at the festival is awesome too! Some of the featured vendors are:
BIG BONED BBQ – IL
COYOTE ROADHOUSE BBQ – IL
TEXAS OUTLAWS BBQ – KY
WILLINGHAM’S WORLD CHAMPION BBQ – TN
PORKY CHICKS BBQ – AK
CHICAGO BBQ – IL
JOEY’S TEXAS THUNDER BBQ – TN

[tags]Rib Fest, Night Ranger, Rib America, .38 Special, Head East, KC & The Sunshine Band, Cross Canadian Ragweed[/tags]