Blues & Rib Fest welcomes thousands to Canal Winchester

CANAL WINCHESTER – The air will once again fill with barbecue wood smoke and the timeless beat of authentic American blues at the Canal Winchester Blues & Rib Festival next week.

Held every first Friday and Saturday in August, this two-day summer street celebration features live blues music, ribs, a variety of other food options, children’s activities, fan-cooled dining areas, and a beer and wine garden, according to a news release. Admission is free.

Last year, more than 33,000 people converged into Canal Winchester to attend.

Stage headliners include the Ori Naftaly Band hailing from Memphis who will be performing on Friday. Closing Saturday is guitarist Chris Duarte. On the solo/duo stage, “Rip” Lee Pryor (son of blues harp master Snooky Pryor) and the Inner Vision Band, a group of talented blind musicians, will be in performance.

Destination: Canal Winchester is the organizer for the event for the sixth consecutive year, which is held Aug. 7-8.

“This year marks the strongest blues line-up we’ve ever assembled. On the BBQ side, we’re honored to welcome several rib masters from the national barbeque circuit back to Canal Winchester. They will be competing fiercely against each other for trophies and bragging rights,” said Destination: Canal Winchester’s Executive Director Bruce Jarvis in a news release. “And if ribs aren’t your thing, there is a solid roster of over 20 other specialty food vendors, including the famous Schmidt’s Sausage truck, to satisfy almost any taste or budget.”

The festival area includes the High and Waterloo Street intersection (closed to vehicle traffic).

Lawn chairs are recommended due to limited seating. Outside food and beverages are not permitted within festival grounds. Skateboards, bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and other “recreational wheels” are also prohibited.

Parking will be available in the areas adjacent to festival grounds with additional handicap parking in designated areas on West Waterloo Street and North High Street.

For more information, visit www.bluesandribfest.com.

New Coordinator

Kate Fox has joined the Canal Winchester Human Services family as Program Coordinator, overseeing the daily operation of the Community Food Pantry and Senior Transportation Programs.

She recently retired from the Canal Winchester School District. To reach her, email kate.cwhs@gmail.com.

Email news items to Anne Darling Cyphert at ADCNewsService@aol.com.