Ribs! Ribs! Ribs!

Did that get all you meat savoring readers’ attention? Get ready then, because the Best of the West Ribfest and Street Fair, in Watford City, North Dakota is back on Main Street all day August 9th. Along with a full day of excitement provided by the Watford City Chamber of Commerce and many business sponsors, the Ribfest has been a major event for families, friends and visitors in Watford City for many years.

Ten years ago Watford City began its climb into regional fair stardom by promoting its Main Street through people’s love of ribs, beer, crafts, music, dancing and family fun...oh and who could forget the classic cars. Since then the fair has grown in popularity annually. It is expected to entertain over 2000 attendees this year with an expected increase of over 30 food and craft vendor booths and a variety of family entertainment.

Chamber spokesperson, Mary Gumke, relays that 19 teams have currently registered for Ribfest, though she is confident that number will increase over the next week. With over twenty possible challengers to two-time defending champions MDU, the heat will be on more than the ribs. First place Judge’s Choice (sponsored by Barrett Pharmacy & Variety), is $1000 cash prize, a traveling trophy and bragging rights for 2013 Ribfest. Last year’s second place winners Caltram, as of the date of this article, hadn’t registered so the field is open to new challengers. Second place is awarded $500 cash prize (sponsored by Panther Pressure Testing). There are two other awards given out at Ribfest: Booth Showmanship (sponsored by Badlands Occupational Testing) is awarded a $250 prize and People’s Choice, which is awarded Ribfest gear. At $3 for a vendor’s sample, the smells will easy lure any fairgoer to savor as many options as their stomachs will hold, probably long before their wallets feel it. Plates of food will also be sold with prices determined by the vendor. Judging begins at 4 p.m. and public sales at 5 p.m. Sweet, savory, succulent, smokey and tangy, and the ribs go super fast so get there early.

Here are the days events, it’s easier to carry this issue of The Roundup with you for future reference. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. the Main street will have food and craft vendors and the classic car show. At noon the kids can have fun with the Children’s Show Down where the best dressed, western wearing kiddo gets rewarded. Throughout the afternoon businesses will be chucking ping pong balls into the crowds for the Ping Pong Drop. On these balls, businesses have put special deals, so make sure to snatch yours in mid air before they drop. From 12:30 to 7 p.m. there will be live bluegrass and country music playing on Main Street. BINGO is at 1 p.m. It’s exactly like online bingo games...FUN! Except REAL not faux-prizes. From 1p.m. to 3p.m. there will be a host of kids’ games and activities. At one end of Main street will be a beer garden and main street is open from 4 -7p.m. to carry so you can enjoy your favorite brew with the rib bonanza. From 4 - 4:30p.m. Lindsey’s Dancers will show us all up with their Boot, Scoot, & Boogie performance. From 4-9p.m. there are Fun On The Run games and at 8 p.m. don’t miss the Relay For Life Survivor presentation. Following the longest chicken dance procession on Main Street at 8:30p.m. is the country band Branded playing again this year for the street dance.