Looking for something fun to do this Memorial Day weekend that includes games, good food and great music? Well than head downtown to The Soilder Memorial for The Rib America Festival (RAF).
Going on till Monday night, RAF features some of the best BBQ from around the country, along with big music names like Bret Michaels, Collective Soul, Shooter Jennings and many local bands as well.
There is a general admissions fee of $5 after 5p.m. on all nights, but admission is free before 1p.m.
Once you get in RAF, your taste-buds will start flaring with all the different BBQ smells that fill the air! Look around at all the different vendors and see which one sounds the best to you. They will have massive billboards above their tents that show off the awards they’ve won along with their name, ticket costs and available meals.
I recomend trying Joey’s Texas Thunder BBQ. These Texans really know how to make a mean slab of ribs. The meat literally falls right off the bone, and their sauce is sweet and tangy.
So once you decide what you’re hungry for, look to see how many tickets the meal costs and go buy your tickets under the white tent at the front of the gate. Generally the meals are seven to ten tickets with a strip of seven tickets costing $10. So if you’re planning to try a bunch of different vendors, be prepared with lots of money, because the drinks aren’t always included.
I would also recommend going relatively early, because A. the place gets crowded and B. the lines for the vendors only get longer as the night goes on.
There is constantly live blues, jazz, country or rock music playing on stage all day and night, but the head-liners don’t play till late! There are also a bunch of carnival like games for the little ones to play and win various stuffed animals.
So to wrap it up, if you have nothing going on this weekend and really want some good BBQ without having to cook, along with great live music, head downtown. I guarantee you’ll leave in a good mood with a full belly.
For more information go to http://www.ribamerica.com/main/
