Roc City Rib Fest Continues Supporting Kids in New Location

Thousands of BBQ lovers and festival fans will fill the north side of Genesee Valley Park over Memorial Day weekend, May 23 to 26, for delicious food and live music at the Roc City Rib Fest. The seventh annual competition begins at 5 p.m. and hosts more than 100 professional BBQers from across the country who compete to win $22,000 in prizes. A portion of every $5 ticket benefits UR Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital. Since its beginning in 2008, the event has raised more than $70,500 for the Finger Lakes region’s only children’s hospital.

Tickets are available at the entrance and are $5 for adults and free for kids under the age of 12. 

Sponsored by Alex’s Place, the four-day festival will run from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 23, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 24 to Monday, May 25. Guests will have the chance to try BBQ from nine different local and national vendors, as well as watch competitors try to win top titles in their divisions.

“We are excited to start the next chapter of Roc City Rib Fest at Genesee Valley Park, right across the parking lot from our host charity, Golisano Children's Hospital,” said Brian Wemett, Roc City Rib Fest co-founder. “Now more centrally located, this move allows us to bring Rochester's favorite BBQ and music festival closer for more people to enjoy.”

The Rochester tradition is comprised of five different BBQ competitions, including the Kansas City Barbeque Society Barbeque Competition (KCBS), as seen on the hit television series BBQ Pitmasters. The winner of the KCBS will have the chance to compete in the Jack Daniels BBQ contest, considered the World Championship of BBQ.

Committed to supporting their local community, especially children, rib fest organizers work hard each year to ensure the festival is fun for all ages. In addition to the fan-favorite cook off, BBQ classes with Diva Q, live music from more than a dozen bands, and a “Kids Zone,” this year’s event will also host an inaugural Roc City Food Truck Throwdown. Nominated by the public earlier this year, the top ten trucks will sell their food from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 23, and festival goers will be able to cast their vote for the ultimate food truck champion that evening.

“We can’t wait to see what’s in store for this year’s Roc City Rib Fest,” said Stephanie Sheets, associate director of community affairs at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “The consistent support we receive from the festival’s dedicated organizers and our wonderful community is demonstrated by the success of the event, year after year.”