Whether it’s the soggy-and-cold spring or just slowly coming out of the pandemic, folks probably are ready to embrace the sauce, the smoke and the sticky fingers of what arguably has become Northeast Ohio’s unofficial kick-off to summer.
We’re talking about Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest, which returns for its 23rd annual affair May 27 through 30 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.
Someone whose voice may be familiar at the event is main stage emcee Dave Kammerman, who can’t wait for this year’s event.
“When are ribs not appealing? They’re delicious,” said Kammerman, who is also a Berea police officer and member of the Berea City Club, which produces the event. “We’ll also have live music all weekend with different breweries there.
“I’m there all weekend announcing all of the bands. You hear my loud mouth. You can’t get rid of me. I see the crowds. Obviously, last year was not as crowded. Now we’re just happy to be back, rain or shine. This year, we’re expecting hopefully to be back to the huge crowds that we had prior to the pandemic.”
Naturally, the centerpiece of the event is the competition among the rib teams for one of the three major awards: Best Ribs, Best Sauce and People’s Choice.
Ribbers include After Hours BBQ (Orville), Armadillo’s BBQ (Clarendon, Illinois), BG’s Main Event (Rittman), Blazin’ Broncos (Port St. Lucie, Florida), Desperado’s BBQ & Rib Company (Hinckley), Mojo’s Famous BBQ (Canton), PigFoot BBQ (Mentor), Porky Chicks BBQ (Fayetteville, Arkansas), Smokin T’s BBQ (Bedford) and Wright’s Catering & BBQ (Columbia Station).
This year’s featured breweries include Platform Beer Co., Saucy Brew Works and Rhinegeist Brewery. Also returning is the kids’ activity area, with a rock-climbing wall, a super-slide, swings and more.
Music-wise, this year’s line-up is diverse: Cruisin’ and Bronx Country (May 27); Jam Machine, Follow the Sun and Revolution Pie (May 28); Tiny Hands Band, The Foogazies, Stadium 11 (May 29) and The Chardon Polka Band and Seven Nations (May 30).
“There are people who show up every year to hear the music,” Kammerman said. “In fact, there’s an elderly woman who comes every year.
“It doesn’t matter who the band is. She sits upfront with her little umbrella. She loves live music and sits there all day long.”
As far as returning musical acts, The Chardon Polka Band is ready for its Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest appearance.
“I believe we’ve been playing at the rib cook-off throughout the last 10 years,” The Chardon Polka Band accordionist Jake Kouwe said. “We try to make this an annual show for us because it is such a fantastic way to kick off summer.
“The festival really gets things right. We always have a great crowd, and everyone is enjoying themselves — not only with the music but the whole festival atmosphere.”
Known to play a barrel full of eclectic, eccentric covers and originals, the festive act may just provide the ideal soundtrack for a festival built around ribs, beer and fun.
“The Chardon Polka Band defies traditional polka boundaries,” Kouwe said. “We’re more of a cosmic gumbo than a straight polka group.
“Our energy is perfect for an event like this. People come to party and have a good time, and that’s what we’re trying to deliver.”
Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest
When: Noon to 11 p.m. May 27, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 28, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 29 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 30.
Where: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 164 Eastland Road, Berea.
Tickets: $5 (free on Friday before 5 p.m.).
Info: BereaRib.com.
