Thousands attend Ribfest finale; hundreds ride to aid veterans
July 25, 2011
, The Times Observer
There wasn't much about Saturday night at Betts Park that wasn't perfect. You couldn't have asked for better weather, food, entertainment - and for organizers of Warren's Ribfest - a bigger crowd.
The cheer that went up when country music recording star Aaron Tippin took the stage was deafening, the apogee of a festival that began Wednesday and wrapped up with Tippin and a winning ticket for a $32,000 chopper built by Sikx Gun Chopper of Warren.
Jennifer Rossey, event coordinator, said estimates were between 8,000 and 9,000 people turned out for the free Aaron Tippin concert that culminated the festival.
"People were parked everywhere; it was like the (Fourth of July) fireworks," Rossey said.
Overall, she said, "There were a lot of people and a lot of motorcycles. It was crowded everywhere."
If there was one thing she said she could change, it would have been a bit cooler throughout the festival. "I'd probably change the weather next year," although that likely won't be one of the options when the Ribfest committee meets for a post-mortem on the event.
"I didn't hear any major complaints," she said, adding that the ribbers really liked the lunches downtown. That service will definitely be coming back next year.
She gave particularly high marks to the Warren Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff's Department for providing services during the dam ride and throughout the Ribfest. "They were awesome. They planned for any possible thing that could go wrong."
My Happy Place was named the overall Master Ribber in the official judging and took first place for ribs. Second went to Two Fat Guys and third to Smokin' Joe's Hog Wild Barbecue. In the sauce competition, Smokin' Joe's was first, Dean Wells' Hog Wild Barbecue was second and My Happy Place was third. Dean Wells' Hog Wild BBQ took the People's Choice Award.
This year's Ribfest had a veterans theme, and Saturday morning more than 500 motorcycles formed up for the Hometown Hero's 'Thank A Vet' Dam Run.
Motorcycles of all kinds lined both sides of the entire length of the eastern part of the parking lot. The western end of the parking lot was jammed with hundreds of bikes in several rows, for the ride organized by Sikx Gun Choppers.
The highlight of the ride was crossing the dam, which is usually closed to all traffic.
Proceeds from the event went to the Warren County Veterans Affairs emergency fund, and that was another major draw for the event.
"We're here to support veterans, "Sue Winger of Mead Township said. "We have a lot of family members who are veterans and who are currently serving."
"You gotta do what you can to support the veterans,"Air Force veteran Tim Winger said.
He suggested people take a moment now and then to thank a vet.
The riders set off from Betts at about 11 a.m. The long procession was escorted by Warren County Sheriff's deputies.
Before riding onto the dam, each rider was required to show identification that was handed out prior to the event. Appropriately, it was a dog tag.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the crossing of the dam for the event in part because other agencies were available and willing to provide additional security, according to Resource Manager Rodney Daum.
In addition to the sheriff's office, law enforcement agents from the Allegheny National Forest were at the dam to assist.
City of Warren Police were in force at Betts Park.
A steady stream of riders crossed the dam for about 30 minutes, with the last bikes crossing at about 11:45.
The cheer that went up when country music recording star Aaron Tippin took the stage was deafening, the apogee of a festival that began Wednesday and wrapped up with Tippin and a winning ticket for a $32,000 chopper built by Sikx Gun Chopper of Warren.
Jennifer Rossey, event coordinator, said estimates were between 8,000 and 9,000 people turned out for the free Aaron Tippin concert that culminated the festival.
"People were parked everywhere; it was like the (Fourth of July) fireworks," Rossey said.
Overall, she said, "There were a lot of people and a lot of motorcycles. It was crowded everywhere."
If there was one thing she said she could change, it would have been a bit cooler throughout the festival. "I'd probably change the weather next year," although that likely won't be one of the options when the Ribfest committee meets for a post-mortem on the event.
"I didn't hear any major complaints," she said, adding that the ribbers really liked the lunches downtown. That service will definitely be coming back next year.
She gave particularly high marks to the Warren Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff's Department for providing services during the dam ride and throughout the Ribfest. "They were awesome. They planned for any possible thing that could go wrong."
My Happy Place was named the overall Master Ribber in the official judging and took first place for ribs. Second went to Two Fat Guys and third to Smokin' Joe's Hog Wild Barbecue. In the sauce competition, Smokin' Joe's was first, Dean Wells' Hog Wild Barbecue was second and My Happy Place was third. Dean Wells' Hog Wild BBQ took the People's Choice Award.
This year's Ribfest had a veterans theme, and Saturday morning more than 500 motorcycles formed up for the Hometown Hero's 'Thank A Vet' Dam Run.
Motorcycles of all kinds lined both sides of the entire length of the eastern part of the parking lot. The western end of the parking lot was jammed with hundreds of bikes in several rows, for the ride organized by Sikx Gun Choppers.
The highlight of the ride was crossing the dam, which is usually closed to all traffic.
Proceeds from the event went to the Warren County Veterans Affairs emergency fund, and that was another major draw for the event.
"We're here to support veterans, "Sue Winger of Mead Township said. "We have a lot of family members who are veterans and who are currently serving."
"You gotta do what you can to support the veterans,"Air Force veteran Tim Winger said.
He suggested people take a moment now and then to thank a vet.
The riders set off from Betts at about 11 a.m. The long procession was escorted by Warren County Sheriff's deputies.
Before riding onto the dam, each rider was required to show identification that was handed out prior to the event. Appropriately, it was a dog tag.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the crossing of the dam for the event in part because other agencies were available and willing to provide additional security, according to Resource Manager Rodney Daum.
In addition to the sheriff's office, law enforcement agents from the Allegheny National Forest were at the dam to assist.
City of Warren Police were in force at Betts Park.
A steady stream of riders crossed the dam for about 30 minutes, with the last bikes crossing at about 11:45.
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