Ribfest 2008
August 7-9

What’s new at Ribfest this year
Updated 4/28/2008

Thank you to everyone who has emailed us regarding our national acts for the August 7-9 Ribfest. We have listened. Get your 80’s albums out - Survivor will take to the stage on Friday, August 8 at 10 p.m.. For those of you who remember the 1960’s you will remember the popular song – “Kind of a Drag” that’s right it’s The Buckingham’s on Saturday, August 9 at 10 p.m. We are now working on the regional bands that will compliment this line-up. Thursday is college night and a fabulous line up of alternative music is shaping up including headliner bands that play The Intersection. It should be a great night.

We are pleased to announce the addition of a Wine Bar featuring an array of great wines including signature wines from Vintners’ Cellar Winery of Kalamazoo. We will continue to feature the ever-popular Beers Around the World tent and our favorite Labatt’s and Arcadia Brewing Company beverages.

The Rib vendor line-up is still being confirmed and we have the return of our favorites including Cowboy’s, Desperado’s, Chicago’s, Dan Johnson, Howling Coyote, and Big Moe’s. Our winner of the Best Ribs in Kalamazoo was OT’s Up In Smoke and their team will join us this year as a rib vendor. Our food vendors include Bogie’s Café and Ibisson Concessions. We have room for one more vendor and we are reviewing applications at this time.

Our Best Ribs in Kalamazoo event (Thursday, August 7) promises to be even bigger this year and if you have a favorite local restaurant that serves up great ribs, encourage them to participte.

Volunteers are needed for many positions, including serving beverages on Saturday night. If you are interested in volunteering, give us a call or go to the Volunteer Tab and download our 2008 volunteer brochure.

What is Ribfest?

Ribfest is Community Advocate’s major fundraising event. Thanks to the support of the people who attended and the businesses that sponsored, $50,000 was raised for programs that are targeted to improve the quality of life for all, but especially to improve the quality of life for our community individuals with developmental disabilities. In fact, Ribfest has raised over $835,000 for programs that stay right here in our community helping people who live in your neighborhoods, work at your place of employment, and maybe go to school with your kids.

Sponsors are the life-line of Ribfest. If your company is interested, please call or e-mail us. Sponsorship packages start at $350 and extend to $2,000. Great exposure, free tickets and a new VIP tent are the benchmark amenities found with every sponsorship level. Plus as a sponsor you are supporting a great community event and an even better charity.

Great ribs, fantastic entertainment, and cooling beverages await you at Ribfest 2008. Stay tuned to this website for updates on: entertainment, the opportunity for on-site corporate picnics, and the availability of Rib Bucks allowing you to pre-purchase tickets, entry passes, and buy food (sold in $5 increments).

For more information, please contact Deb Droppers, 269.388.2830 or .