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Akron celebrates downtown through Saturday
By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, Jul 03, 2009
The smell of barbecue ribs is in the air in downtown Akron.
There were long lines of people waiting to taste the variety of offerings during lunchtime Thursday, the first day of Akron's Rib, White and Blue Food Festival.
About nine barbecue rib vendors from Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas set up stations on Main Street, with buckets of extra barbecue sauce for the tasting.
The street is blocked off from State Street to Bowery Street for the three-day festival.
Besides ribs, there are chicken, pork and brisket sandwiches, roasted corn, grilled and fried vegetables, homemade fries and potato chips. For those who just want a one-handed snack or drink, there are root beer floats, cones, snow cones, smoothies and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
Downtown workers took advantage of the free admission Thursday to grab a bite to eat within walking distance. Admission is also free today from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then it's $5 from 1 to 9:30 p.m.
''I come every year. It's a block from the office,'' said Fred Kramer, 47, of Akron, who works for the city. ''I look for the new [barbecue rib] vendors and do my own taste test. I will be back at the end of the day to try several more.''
Amy Houston, 37, of Cleveland, works for White Hat Management on Main Street. It was her first time at the festival.
''It's a lot nicer than the ribfest in Cleveland. It's smaller and more convenient.''
She also said it was a nice change of pace for lunch.
Her co-worker, Kate Zarouk, 33, of Akron, said she has been attending the downtown festival for 20-some years, but this time she was close enough to walk to it.
''I keep coming back because it's fun, for the variety of food and it's good for downtown Akron,'' Zarouk said. ''I recall when I was a kid, the rides seemed to be bigger, though. The one I liked the best was the pirate ship.''
Rides are one of the attractions for the children.
Taia Rahim, 8, of Akron, said she was waiting eagerly for a swaying ride that lifted off the ground and flew back and forth and around.
You need tickets for the rides; each ticket is 50 cents. The kiddie rides are $2 (four tickets) and the big rides are $3 (six tickets).
''Its only her second year riding the big rides,'' said her father, Wali Rahim, 30, of Akron. ''I like to come every year because of the rides, the food and it's close to home.''
Some people took their time before deciding which vendor's food to sample.
''I don't know which ones are the best, so I've been reading all about the contest [material posted on the booths] and trying to choose from there. I like to taste the different sauces,'' said Elizabeth Hightower, who works for the Akron-Summit County Public Library. After making her selection, she bought a slab of ribs.
''It will be both my lunch and my dinner — with enough to share with my mother. And I have to get funnel cake. That's a tradition.''
There were families, judges, city and county officials, librarians, firefighters, police officers and downtown workers visiting during their lunch breaks.
''The best part about the festival is seeing everybody,'' Akron attorney Gary Rosen said as he visited with people he hadn't seen in a while. ''Besides the food, what's great is that the festival is on Main Street and everyone gets out of their offices from behind their desks to attend. You get to see people outside of work.''
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
The smell of barbecue ribs is in the air in downtown Akron.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 05:00 AM, 07/03/2009
It still amazes me that so many Cracronites can eat ribs when they have so few teeth...
Akron, Oh
Posted 05:37 AM, 07/03/2009
Make sure you have a living will made out before you hit these streets.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:00 AM, 07/03/2009
BORING! It was a good event when Magic Entertainment handled the show (bands of the caliber of Cheap Trick, Foreigner, Warrant, etc.) . . . performers at the end of their careers none-the-less - but packed stages.
Now we get tribute bands shoved down our throats - yet - there are so many bands locally and regionally (all genres - rock, blues, R&B, hip-hop, country, etc.) that tour nationally and have records out and songs that chart. Where are they? Does someone from city council have a brother who's friend's caddie is in a Hootie and the Blowfish cover band?
Where did all the rib vendors go?
The city can sit there and complain about the number of incidents they had over a course of 5 days before it became a "family, friendly event" (whatever the h@ll that means) - yet it was a packed and affordable festival for so many years.
Oh well - change because you can does not make it right . . . and change does make it work either.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:43 AM, 07/03/2009
This is just a sad little fest in a sad little city. Go check out Columbus' rib fest if you want to see how it should be done
Akron, OH
Posted 07:49 AM, 07/03/2009
@ Nick Carter . . . I agree.
@ me (spell check - duh)
. . . and change "doesn't" make it work either.
Canton, OH
Posted 07:56 AM, 07/03/2009
Should I " pack heat " if I go ????
akron, oh
Posted 07:57 AM, 07/03/2009
We'll be skipping the ribfest and fireworks this year. It's too bad, but it just isn't safe.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 08:13 AM, 07/03/2009
Nick - You sound depressed. Maybe a change of venue (this means to 'move') would help you and improve the mood of our city at the same time.
akron, oh
Posted 08:23 AM, 07/03/2009
Granted, this isn't the biggest rib festival around, but it's free (mostly) and a fun afternoon.
I'm not sure what it's like after dark because I don't tend to go much of anywhere in the dark hours.
I can't figure out why they bother selling 50 cent tickets though. Little rides are $2 and big rides are $3 Why not just make the tickets $1 each and save some paper? That would make a lot more sense.
akron, oh
Posted 08:27 AM, 07/03/2009
www.summitcountycalendar.com/calendar/Rib_White_Blue_Food_Fest_07022009
Live Music Schedule:
July 3 - Rock 'n Ribs
7:00pm The Juke Hounds
8:30pm Satisfaction, A Rolling Stones Experience
July 4 - American Roots
2:30-4pm University of Akron Steel Drum Band
4:30-7pm Mo' Mojo
7:30-9pm Rebirth Brass Band
9:45pm Grand Finale Fireworks on the Innerbelt
Barbecue Vendors:
Texas Pit BBQ: Magnolia, TX
Carolina Rib King: Moore, South Carolina
Old Carolina Pit BBQ: Massillon, OH
Big Boned BBQ: Hixson, Tenn
Two Fat Guys BBQ: Massillon, OH
Smokin Joes Ribs: Columbus, OH
Smoke Shack BBQ: Columbus, OH
SPICE: Cleveland, OH
Cowboys BBQ and Rib Company: Aledo, TX
Other Food Items:
Roast Corn
Fresh Cut French Fries
Fresh Cut Potato Chips
Soft Serve Ice Cream
Fried Vegetables
Sausage Sandwhiches
Steak Hoagies
Chicken Sandwiches
Funnel Cakes
Salmon Burgers
Crab Cake Croissants
Fried Fish
Fudge Puppies
New Orleans Beans and Rice
ICEE
Rootbeer Floats
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
Akron, OH
Posted 08:47 AM, 07/03/2009
@Nick: Sounds like you need to get out of the house more. My teeth are just fine tyvm.
@Gerard: There are about 9 rib vendors. Are you blind? I apologize if you are.
I do agree that it was a bit boring - we were there yesterday afternoon during the dinner hour (it was chilly so I'm not surprised about the lack of people) but they didn't have any music playing and nothing was scheduled until 7pm.
I also agree about tribute bands - I thought that most of these types of fests usually have a major act they have performing, but it seems this year Akron skipped that part.
I may go back for UofA's Steel Drum band, but the music was a bit disappointing.
The food, however, was delicious - so instead of throwing a fit on the internet, get up off your keisters and give it a try! Who knows? You may *gasp* LIKE it!
Fairlawn, OH
Posted 09:15 AM, 07/03/2009
LOL at all the critical people. This is a fun event and we are lucky to have it in downtown Akron every year. Maybe it's time some of you stop looking at all the negatives about Akron and instead try and enjoy some of the positives.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:20 AM, 07/03/2009
@ Golden Ducky
I am not blind but in it's "hay day", there were close to 20 rib vendors (they came from as far away as California) - I remember this because I got a last minute project to put together a trifold with updated sponsors and vendors.
This is NOT even close to what it was when most of Akron looked forward to the event - or at least the people I know in Akron. Sorry . . . I have been a part of large festivals around the country and this event has spiraled down. This is the only area that considers touring tribute bands "national acts" - give me a break.
U ofA's Steel Drum band is worthy of a listen anytime. Mo Mojo is a quality act, and I am sure the other bands are competent - but - I don't see anything on the agenda that is exciting for an adult to commit any significant amount of time. Kids will buy into most events as long as mom & dad shoves "fairground" food down their gullets but it just doesn't seem as grand as the downtown potential could be now that you have a true feature stage like Lock 3.
I personally went from planning my schedule around the Rib-Burn Off to not caring at all.
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 09:27 AM, 07/03/2009
If Akron don't start changing things ,its going to be like Detroit or Cleveland jr.Thats why attendance at these festivals is dropping.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:29 AM, 07/03/2009
@ MyerS
I like Akron and I like my neighborhood on North Hill. But I call it as I see it - when I see something that was once great and has gone a z z backwards then I am going to point it out - I am not a lemming and I am not a "Alice The Goon" . . . "I love Akron - I Love Akron - I Love Popeye - I Love Akron".
This might be a cliche' - and it is directed at the powers to be: "If it ain't broke don't fix it."
MyersS - Either you just moved here or you really have no idea what a great event the Rib Burn Off was before the city changed it to the specifically tagged - "Family Friendly Event" (like it wasn't before).
Have a great time at the event - I made other plans.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:48 AM, 07/03/2009
@ CalmNSense: Trust me, I am working on it. Kinda hard to sell a house in Crackron after 20 years of being run into the ground by our own little tyrant though.
"Nick - You sound depressed. Maybe a change of venue (this means to 'move') would help you and improve the mood of our city at the same time."
akron, oh
Posted 10:54 AM, 07/03/2009
Food will bring anybody in...
Akron, OH
Posted 11:43 AM, 07/03/2009
I couldn't wait to see what kind of negative comments you people would come up with for this article. I don't think there's EVER been an article in here that someone didn't have something to b*%#* about! Chill out people, jeez! It's a holiday, take a breath and try to enjoy yourselves.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:11 PM, 07/03/2009
@ SMC
That's what is so great about these forums - you have both sides stating their opinions . . . it would really b l o w if everyone on here were "shiny happy people" as well as "grumpy jerks".
I use my real name because I say what I mean and mean what I say (yes a lame cliche' but is very accurate). If I thought the Rib Burn Off (now) was worthy based on the events I played on both coasts, then I would praise it loudly.
It's just my opinion and I will stick by it.
Posted 12:25 PM, 07/03/2009
WAAAHHHHHHH, WAAAAHHHHHHH, WAAHHHHHHH
Same old same old.
akron, oh
Posted 12:25 PM, 07/03/2009
SMC-people will and do leave positive comments, but the rib fest has been sliding down hill for the last several years. It's a combination of the economy, and people want to go where they aren't going to be afraid or hassled it's as simple as that. If you provide a clean, SAFE envirometn people will go-Columbus and Pittsburgh both have great rib fests.
Canton, Oh
Posted 03:21 PM, 07/03/2009
Considering what we endured here in
Canton as a "Celebration" I think that we may have to come check out your little rib fest. Where would be the best place to watch fireworks from? i worked in Akron a few years ago and do know my way around a little bit. Thanks!
Canton, Oh
Posted 03:22 PM, 07/03/2009
Sorry, a clebration LAST NIGHT. 10 minutes of symphony and 15 minutes of fireworks before it was dark.
Hudson, OH
Posted 03:44 PM, 07/03/2009
Just make some ribs and stay home. Acme = 2.99/lb. for babybacks. And no I'm not an acme employee. Just picked up two slabs yesterday.
Akron, oh
Posted 04:25 PM, 07/03/2009
For what this is it's OK. Trying to get a lot of big name rib guys here on the 4th of July would be practically impossible. We went for the first time last year and was a little disappointed, more so that we paid to get in then anything else. I guess the rides are supposed to give it a fair-like atmosphere, but they just end up making it kinda sad.
AKRON, OH
Posted 10:07 PM, 07/03/2009
where do you guys come from? using stupid words like cracronites? seriously? if you do live here then you are the ones that give this city a bad name and if you've moved, then thank god. akron is a great city that has grown so much from what it was to a place where people can walk around on the weekends and have a good time going to local restaurants or bars. get real. you're a disgrace.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:27 PM, 07/03/2009
Perhaps the Rib Fest isn't as large as it used to be because people aren't as willing to come down and spend $20 on 6 ribs and a Coke? That's a possibility that I can see.
BUT FOR WHAT IS THERE - it's a nice little festival (I say little because I'm from Cedar Rapids, IA, who has a 4-block, 3 stage, multi-vendor event every summer that IS way better than this one was) and like I said, the food is great. If people would just chillax and have fun, more vendors would want to come in?
In other words - just GO. I plan on going every year - regardless of the size or amount of vendors or whatever - because at the very least it supports Akron and it's fun!
Akron, , OH
Posted 08:17 AM, 07/04/2009
Sorry I won't sharing in most of the posters misery because I will venture downtown and have some fun!
Now, when my taste buds are heightened by the BBQ and the sauce really starts oozing on the napkin i will throw it in the trash and think about your misery and wish you were here!!!
akron, OH
Posted 05:52 PM, 07/04/2009
It just costs to much!!! If I go down for dinner it will cost me $20 to get in the gate 2 slabs 2 sides 4 pops $100 too much for one evening I'm not that rich
