It’s almost time for summer and that means it’s time for Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest, Friday, May 28 thru Monday, May 31, 2021. Begun back in 1999, Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest is Northeast Ohio’s Premier Start-of-the-Summer event at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.
The festival is produced by the Berea City Club—a group of local business owners who promote positive civic initiatives for the betterment of the City of Berea. It is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization originally established back in 1998. Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest quickly became the organization’s signature event. Berea City Club has raised nearly a million dollars for various clubs, organizations, and projects in the City of Berea over the past 20+ years!
The 22nd Annual Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest begins on Friday, May 28th at noon and extends throughout the Memorial Day Weekend, wrapping up Monday evening, May 31st at 7pm.
Admission is FREE, noon-5 p.m. on Friday and then just $5 all weekend long (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) with kids under 12 admitted for free. On Monday (Memorial Day), all retired and active military personnel showing military ID will be admitted for FREE to the event. Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest is a Rain or Shine Event. As always, FREE PARKING all weekend long.
The Competitors
This year, a total of 10 Rib Teams will compete from all over the United States in hopes of garnering one of the three major awards: Best Ribs, Best Sauce and People’s Choice. Your vote counts and winners will be announced on Monday afternoon at the Main Stage, giving you plenty of time to try out this year’s winners.
With the ever-growing popularity of craft beer in the Cleveland Market, Yuengling, a long-time sponsor of the festival is back. The 2021 featured craft breweries include: Yuengling, Platform, Saucy Brew Works and Rhinegeist Brewery.
Family Fun
The Affordable Family Fun includes a Kids Activity Area with a Rock-Climbing Wall, a Super-Slide, Swings and more.
The weekend kicks off Friday afternoon highlighted by Corvette Cleveland’s Car Show (clevelandcorvetteclub.org) which will run from 4-8 p.m., featuring more than 40 vehicles. Friday’s musical entertainment features Cruisin’ at 4:30 p.m. and Bronx Country at 7:30 p.m.
Live Music
There will be live music on the Southwest General Health Center Stage all weekend (FREE with your paid cook-off gate admission) featuring many genres of music.
Saturday brings to the stage the great sounds of The Foogazies at 1:30 p.m., Tiny Hands Band @ 4:30 p.m. and Revolution Pie at 7:30 p.m.
Keeping the music kicked into high-gear on Sunday, Chardon Polka Band performs at 1:30PM, followed by Seven Nations at 4:30 p.m. and Cleveland’s Breakfast Club at 7:30p.m.
Memorial Day brings some of the best in both local and national musical entertainment with Yearbook taking stage at 1PM and Seven Nations returning at 4PM to close out the event.
For all events held at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, ALL applicable CDC Guidelines and State of Ohio COVID-19 Safety Protocols will be in effect for all guests and event participants. Entry to each event may be limited and masks and social distancing may be required. The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds and its events reserve the right to deny entry or to remove anyone not in compliance with applicable safety protocols.
For open times of festival, musical performance times and festival admission information, visit BereaRib.com.
Provided By: Candyce Traci/PR Ambassador/2021 Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest
835 Sharon Dr., Suite 300, Westlake Ohio 44145, 440.250.8600, [email protected]