The Ribs Burnoff returns to Canton. Here's what to know about the 3-day event
CANTON − The Pro Football Hall of Fame is bringing back the Ribs Burnoff after a 10-year hiatus.
The free, three-day event — which begins Friday — will feature six rib vendors and seven specialty food and drink vendors, as well as various activities and a lineup of live music.
The Memorial Day weekend fest will conclude Sunday with a fireworks show starting at 9:15 p.m.
Rich Desrosiers, spokesman for the Hall of Fame, said the event brings back a local favorite tradition and commemorates Memorial Day.
"Part of this weekend will include some moments of silence for servicemen and women who have sacrificed for the country," he said. "We want to celebrate, we want to have a good time and kick off summer, but we are also being mindful of what this weekend is really about."
The Hall of Fame will be donating $1 for every alcoholic beverage sold at the event to Wreaths Across America, an organization that decorates the graves of service members across the county.
Event parking at the Hall of Fame Village is $10. The Hall of Fame is located at 2121 George Halas Drive NW in Canton.
Here are five things to know about the event's return.
1. Ribs Burnoff brings long-awaited return of a local tradition
Desrosiers said the community was eager to bring back the Ribs Burnoff after 10 years.
"People have been waiting for something like this to come back for a while," he said. "It isn't going to be quite the same experience that it was downtown or out at the fairgrounds, but it's a first ... and we wanted to bring it back."
This year's burnoff will be the first time it is located at the Hall of Fame and the first time it is held over Memorial Day weekend.
Desrosiers said this year will be a chance to get the tradition started again.
2. Rib vendors will compete for three different prizes
On Day 1 of the burnoff, the six rib vendors will serve their ribs to the first round of judges, which are the seven members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
The winner of Friday's judging will win the Hall of Famer Choice Award.
On Day 2, a new panel of judges will present two separate awards for Best Rib and Best Sauce.
There is a cash prize for each of the three competitions.
The competing rib vendors are:
Armadillo's BBQ
Cowboys Barbecue & Rib Co.
Off the Bone BBQ
Old Carolina BBQ
Uncle Bacon's BBQ
Winking Lizard Tavern
3. Ribs Burnoff to include three days of live music
Live music will be played on the Roto-Rooter Music Stage on the mini turf field.
Trailer Park Ninjas and Disco Inferno will play Friday. The Trailer Park Ninjas set will be from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by Disco Inferno from 8 to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, Buck Naked Band will take the stage from 5 to 7 p.m. E5C4P3 Band will perform from 8 to 10 p.m.
On the final day, New Wave Nation will close out the weekend with music from 7 to 9:15 p.m.
DJ Krooze will play music starting at 11 a.m. all three days of the event. The DJ will be located near the rib and specialty vendors.
4. Welcome Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024
This ticketed event is an opportunity to meet with members of the Class of 2024.
Tickets for the meet and greet are $100. The ticket includes light refreshments with cash bar and a commemorative item.
2024 Hall of Fame Class: Randy Gradishar, Julius Peppers, 5 others in Hall of Fame class; Antonio Gates snubbed
5. Bull rides, ax throwing and specialty vendors
Ax throwing and bull riding will be available at the event for an additional cost.
It is $5 for five ax throws and $5 for a bull ride.
More: Looking for fun? Hall of Fame Ribs Burnoff, Hartville flea market, 'Beauty and the Beast'
There will also be seven specialty vendors at the event, offering carnival-style food and beverages such as lemonade and Dippin' Dots.
The specialty vendors are:
Destefano's
John's Gyro Kind
Kissel Amusement Co.
Kissel Foods
Lil' John Concessions
Mr. Fun's Concessions − Dippin' Dots
SMOOSH Cookies
The Hall of Fame Rib Burnoff schedule of events
Here's the schedule of events for the Rib Burnoff:
Friday
9:30 a.m.: Class of 2024 banner unveiling
11 a.m.: Ribs Burnoff begins
11 a.m. to noon: Meet & Greet with the Class of 2024 (ticketed event)
11 a.m.: DJ Krooze begins
2 p.m.: Ax throwing and bull riding available
5 to 7 p.m.: Trailer Park Ninjas performs
8 to 10 p.m.: Disco Inferno performs
10 p.m.: Beer sales end
10 p.m.: Ribs Burnoff ends
Saturday
11 a.m.: Ribs Burnoff begins
11 a.m.: DJ Krooze begins
2 p.m.: Ax throwing and bull riding available
5 to 7 p.m.: Buck Naked Band performs
8 to 10 p.m.: E5C4P3 Band performs
10 p.m.: Beer sales end
10 p.m.: Ribs Burnoff ends
Sunday
11 a.m.: Ribs Burnoff begins
11 a.m.: DJ Krooze begins
2 p.m.: Ax throwing and bull riding available
7 to 9:15 p.m.: New Wave Nation performs
9:15 p.m.: Fireworks Show
10 p.m.: Ribs Burnoff ends
Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Here are 5 things to know about the Hall of Fame Ribs Burnoff
