Published:
CANTON, OH (July 26, 2011) – The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Ribs Burnoff will have a variety of food vendor booths at the Stark County Fairgrounds Aug. 3, 4 and 5, with the event running 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. Rib and specialty vendors will occupy 34 booth spaces. Rib vendors will compete to win top prizes as judged by more than 80 judges on Wednesday, with the following awards to be announced on Thursday, Aug. 4, at approximately 5 p.m.: Most Outstanding Ribs Award (plaque and $2,500), Mayor’s Award (plaque and $1,000), and Best Sauce Award (plaque and $500). Seven area professional chefs will serve as judges in selecting the Best Sauce Award winner. In addition, a People’s Choice Award will be given based on surveys taken by an anonymous, independent group who will survey the general public at the event to determine the best ribs at the Ribs Burnoff according to the populous. The winning vendor will receive a plaque and “bragging rights” for the remainder of the event. Three restaurants and caterers from Stark County will be serving ribs and competing for the prizes, including Jack on the Bone Rib Team, Old Carolina Barbeque and Two Fat Guys. Armadillo’s (2010 Most Outstanding Rib winner) is an Ohio vendor (Youngstown, Ohio) as is Smokin’ Joe’s Hog Wild BBQ (Mansfield, Ohio), and out-of-state participants include Gator’s BBQ (Port Dover, Ontario, Canada), Shigs in Pit BBQ (Fort Wayne, Ind.), and Texas Pit BBQ (Willis, Texas). Specialty food vendors will occupy 16 booths, including Big D’s Concessions, Casto Concessions, Cherokee Cuisine, DeStefano’s Concessions, DG Concessions, Island Delights, Jack & Rich French Fries, Johnsonville Sausage, Lil John’s Concessions, McKinley Band Parents Association, and Sipe Concessions/DiRusso Sausage. Admission to the Ribs Burnoff is free. On-site parking at the fairgrounds is free each day until 4 p.m., when a fee of $5 per vehicle will be charged. In addition to great food, the event will feature national musical entertainment each night on the Emergency Medicine Physicians Stage:
  • • Wed., Aug. 3: The fantastic Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson presented in cooperation with WRQK 106.9
  • • Thurs., Aug. 4: Country artist Phil Vassar presented in cooperation with WQXK K-105
  • • Fri., Aug. 5: Party band Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes – with special guest Joe Grushecky and the House Rockers – presented in cooperation with Mix 94.1
Free, standing room only area is available on the track in front of the stage, or reserved grandstand seats can be purchased for only $9 at the Chamber office at 222 Market Ave. North in downtown Canton, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, via phone at 330.458.2088, and at the event each day at the souvenir booth and in the evening at the “Will Call” center at the north end of the grandstand. In addition to the national musical acts in the evenings on the main stage, attendees can enjoy activities all day including free musical entertainment on the daytime stage featuring the following acts at 5:15 PM: Wednesday – Brighter Side Band; Thursday – Wild West Band; and Friday – Mr. Trick. Other family activities include an expansive children’s entertainment area with face painting, caricaturists, balloon twisters, Fantasy Football Zone of interactive inflatables powered by AEP Ohio, master sand sculptor, Lowe’s Build & Grow, 2012 Ford Focus Tour and much more. For more information, call Laura Perry at 330-458-2054, or visit the Enshrinement Festival Web site at www.profootballhofef.com.

###