News Flash

Destination: Canal Winchester and the City of Canal Winchester invite you to enjoy the seventh annual Canal Winchester Blues & Ribfest on July 28 & 29 in historic downtown Canal Winchester.  The air will once again fill with barbecue wood smoke and the timeless beat of authentic American Blues at Ohio’s only Blues & Rib Festival!  The two day summer street celebration features live blues music, world-class ribs, a variety of quality non-rib food options, children’s activities, fan-cooled dining areas, and a beer & wine garden. From solid rockin’ electric blues to traditional acoustic performances, there’s something sure to satisfy even the most discriminating blues fan continuously flowing from two stages throughout the two-day event.  Bring your friends, your appetite, and a couple of lawn chairs for one of the best parties of the summer! Families are welcome and admission is free.  “Some of the best ribbers in the country will be here to serve their finest, so be sure to make your way downtown to enjoy great food and listen to some of the finest blues performers anywhere,” said Mayor Mike Ebert.

Last year, nearly 40,000 people visited Canal Winchester’s downtown to attend this popular summer outdoor festival.  For 2017, festival-goers can also expect a wide variety of quality food and rib vendors, continuous live blues music, fun children’s activities, fan-cooled dining tents and the popular beer & wine garden. Stage headliners on Friday, July 28 include the amazing sounds of three-time BMA Nominee Albert Castiglia. 

Destination: Canal Winchester is proud to present the Canal Winchester Blues & Ribfest for the eighth consecutive year. Destination: Canal Winchester’s Executive Director Karen Stiles explains, “This year marks the strongest blues line-up we’ve ever assembled. On the BBQ side, we’re honored to welcome several rib masters from the national barbeque circuit back to Canal Winchester. They will be competing fiercely against each other for trophies and bragging rights. And if ribs aren’t your thing, there is a solid roster of over 18 other specialty food vendors, including the famous Schmidt’s Sausage truck, to satisfy almost any taste or budget. We did not forget the kids and are very pleased to be able to bring back the popular $1 pony rides too. Maybe the best part of our event is that there is no charge for getting in to experience some of the finest live blues and barbecue to be found anywhere at any price.”

The festival benefits the community by attracting visitors and by promoting national, regional & local blues performers. The festival site radiates out from the High and Waterloo Street intersection (closed to vehicle traffic) in historic downtown Canal Winchester. For GPS/digital mapping users, the address 10 North High Street, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 may be used.

Lawn chairs are recommended due to limited seating. Outside food and beverages are not permitted within festival grounds. Skateboards, bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and other “recreational wheels” are also prohibited. Parking will be available in the areas adjacent to festival grounds with additional handicap parking in designated areas on West Waterloo Street and North High Street.

For more information, visit www.bluesandribfest.com. The schedule of blues entertainment can also be found below.

Performance Schedule