Celoron’s Four-Day Rib Festival Begins

By Dennis Phillips, dphillips@post-journal.com POSTED: June 4, 2009 CELORON - The ribs officially starting sizzling Wednesday as award-winning national touring rib cooking teams converged in Celoron's Lucille Ball Memorial Park for the first day of the Wild Rib Cook Off & Music Festival. This is the second year the village has hosted the festival, but the first year Celoron officials had time to prepare for the rib cook-off event. Because of a last-second scheduling change last year, Celoron hosted the rib festival for the first time, when an estimated 25,000 people attended the four-day event. Kathi Danielson, Performance & Event Management coordinator, said the rib fest was much easier to prepare for this year because there was more time to plan. ''I'm very excited, so many new things introduced this year,'' she said. ''The village knew what they wanted and were able to attract more vendors because they had more time.'' This year's event will again be four days, running through Saturday. There are several rib vendors serving full and half rack barbecue ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. Rib vendors include Pig Foot BBQ Company, Sgt. Oinks BBQ Co., Smokin' Joe's Hog Wild Barbeque, My Happy Place and Bulldog Barbecue. Also, there is barbecue chicken, lemonade, chocolate covered strawberries, kettle korn, roasted nuts, ice cream, chocolate cheesecake, fries, chicken fingers, funnel cakes, hot dogs, corn dogs and more. Along with the food, there is a ''Rib Kid Zone'' featuring rides for children that will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, with ride tickets costing $10. There is also a ''Big Kids Zone'' featuring a mechanical bull and other activities. The festival also includes a motorcycle raffle sponsored by Hospice Chautauqua County, a beer garden and a Celoron history experience in the log cabin. There will be reserved parking next to the park to make going and leaving the festival easier. Also sever community organizations like the Moose Club, American Legion and the Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association is helping to put on the festival, along with many community residents who have volunteered their time. ''I would just like to thank all the volunteers who have helped,'' said Robin Young, village trustee. ''Also, Jack Keeney and his team who put this all together. It's good to see the village active in a community function.'' For more information on the festival, visit its Web site at http://www.ribfestnewyork.com/. The event is being produced by Performance & Event Management based in Erie, Pa. Subscribe to Post-Journal For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com