North Central State College (NCSC) kicked off the 29th annual Rock-n-Ribs with performances by Sy’Velt and Phil Vassar. Seven rib vendors, as well as other concessions, offer items that included barbecue, fries, funnel cakes and lemonade.
Each year the festival bestows a people’s choice award to one rib vendor. The judging is done utilizing a combination of guest judges who are invited and random festival attendees who are asked to participate.
The ribs are all assigned a number, even the vendors don’t know what their number is. Over the course of the weekend five groups of ten judges rate the ribs, and NCSC tallies the results to select the winner.
Last year’s winner was Smokin’ Joes Hog Wild from Olive Hill, Kentucky. Smokin’ Joes boasts a healthy record on the barbecue circuit with over 100 awards to date.
Kevin Pierce has worked with Smokin’ Joes for quite some time and the only secret he was willing to share is that good barbecue is all about time. “Patience is what makes good barbeque,” said Pierce. His tip for the weekend grill warriors, “Go low and slow, that’s the most important thing.”
Hundreds were in attendance Thursday night enjoying dinner and live entertainment. Sy’Velt opened playing a mix of jazz, dixie, R&B, pop, and funk.
Headline act Phil Vassar followed Sy’Velt with a high-energy show that got audience members on their feet and tapping their toes. Vassar’s blend of country and pop made for a lively summer evening on NCSC’s campus.
Rock-n-Ribs benefits the North Central State College Foundation, a nonprofit that funds initiatives, facilities projects, state of the art equipment, and student aid and scholarships. According to Cheryl Carter, Director of the NCSC Urban Center, that is the best part of the festival.
“The thing I like most is bringing the greater community and the North Central community together so we can serve those who might not have the opportunity of college otherwise. That’s what it’s about for me, making the college accessible to all,” said Carter.
Rock-n-Ribs continues from 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. for Friday and Saturday nights at NCSC. The headline performers for Friday will be The Tubes, and Saturday will feature Spin Doctors.
For a complete schedule of events, visit the NCSC Rock-n-Ribs website.
“The thing I like most is bringing the greater community and the North Central community together so we can serve those who might not have the opportunity of college otherwise. That’s what it’s about for me, making the college accessible to all,” said Carter.
