Rock, Ribs & Ridges Festival seeks competitive eaters

SUSSEX — Event organizers are seeking local nonprofit organizations and community volunteer groups to participate in the 8th annual Rock, Ribs & Ridges Rib Eating Challenge on June 9 at Franklin Sussex Auto Mall.
Each organization may enter one representative to see who can eat a rack of ribs the fastest. Andy Garger of the Sparta Education Foundation won last year’s contest.
The winner’s organization will receive $500 from the dealership, with the individual contest winner receiving a pair of general admission tickets to the 9th annual Rock, Ribs & Ridges festival at the nearby Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, June 23 and 24. The second-place organization will receive $200.
Franklin Sussex Auto Mall will donate $100 to each of the other participating groups. Each individual contestant will receive one free general admission ticket to the annual food and music festival, which is being headlined by country music superstar Travis Tritt.
The festivities will begin at noon and include a performance by the Farmer Phil Band and a free barbecue with friends, families and the general public invited. The rib-eating contest is scheduled for 2 p.m. Discount festival tickets will be available at Franklin Sussex Auto Mall.
Two-time “Best Ribs” champion Scott Reid of Texas Smoke BBQ in Jefferson will again supply the ribs for the contest. He won the juried rib cook-off in 2014 and 2015, won for “Best Sauce” three times and is a four-time “People’s Choice” winner at the festival.
As the event has grown in popularity, Howard Freeman, the festival’s executive producer, and Bill Snouffer, Franklin Sussex Auto Mall general manager, are again dedicating this year’s contest to local nonprofit organizations. To date, Franklin Sussex Auto Mall, the festival’s presenting sponsor, has donated more than $10,000 in cash and prizes.
The annual Rock, Ribs & Ridges Festival features two days of music and mouthwatering barbecue at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. This year, country music superstar Travis Tritt headlines a lineup of nine bands that includes the Outlaws, Poco, The Weight Band, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Artimus Pyle and classic rockers Foghat. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of fresh barbecue served by five top pitmasters from around the country, and a selection of craft beers.
Franklin Sussex AutoMall is located at 315 Route 23 North in Sussex.
To apply to participate in the Rock, Ribs & Ridges Rib Eating Challenge, email Ken Staats at kstaats@promo1.info.
For additional information and tickets, visit www.rockribsandridges.com.