Some of the best barbecue cooks in the country will heat up downtown Tulsa during the Rock 'N Rib Festival starting Thursday.
The event, which is presented by Rib Crib, will feature championship barbecue, concessions, cooking demonstrations, a kids zone and performances by bands on the ONEOK Outdoor Stage.
"We are thrilled to bring back Rock 'N Rib Festival this year. Despite the inclement weather last year, Rock 'N Rib Festival still welcomed more than 39,000 people to downtown Tulsa for award-winning barbecue. This is an event people get really excited about, and we are proud to celebrate five years of bringing this free event to the public," said John Bolton, SMG general manager.
Pitmasters will be cooking 17,400 pounds of ribs, chicken and beef for the event, held outside the BOK Center at Third Street and Frisco Avenue in downtown Tulsa.
See live cooking demonstrations from the pitmasters, as well as local restaurant chefs. Admission to the festival is free. The hours are 11 a.m.-midnight Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
On Thursday, the ONEOK Outdoor Stage will present an Earl Clark Tribute featuring Starr Fisher and The Spectrum Band.
Then on Friday, the festival will host the Inaugural Rib Run 5k and Fun Run presented by Fleet Feet Tulsa starting at 7 p.m. from the corner of Third Street and Denver Avenue. Following the run, the festival will put on the Five-Year Anniversary Fireworks Display beginning about 8:30 p.m.
The Pigmen, a barbecue team made up of cooks from the presenting sponsor, Rib Crib, represents Tulsa among the championship pitmasters this year.
The other teams are Big Boned BBQ from Hixon, Tenn.; Chicago BBQ Company from Berwyn, Ill.; Cowboy's BBQ from Fort Worth, Texas; Desperado's BBQ from Hinckley, Ohio; Johnson's BBQ from Chesapeake, Va.; and Porky 'n Beans from Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Guests older than 21 can enjoy the Jack Daniel's Saloon, an adults-only party zone where liquor, mixed drinks and high-point beer will be served. The Jack Daniel's Saloon will be located on the box office plaza near Frisco Avenue and offers a prime view of the outdoor stage.
For more information, go to
tulsaworld.com/getsauced
ROCK 'N RIB FESTIVAL
Where: Outside the BOK Center, Third Street and Frisco Avenue
When: Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Nicole Marshall Middleton 918-581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Celebration of ribs
Food
It's apple season again, one of the few times of the year I'm sorry I live in the city, without a car. If only I lived near an orchard, I'd pick my own apples and be happy.
Word has it that OK+ (in excess of 3.2) Budweiser is coming to a liquor store near you.
