By JARED ORZOLEK
orzolek@crescent-news.com
NAPOLEON -- The Napoleon/Henry County Visitors' Bureau rib fest will hit the streets of downtown Napoleon Friday, June 20, from 5:30-10:30 p.m.
A total of 14 local non-profit agencies will smoke ribs for the thousands of people who will attend the event and the rock band, "the Menus" will return to the stage for a repeat performance.
"We're in a position to not mess with success right now with the rib fest," said bureau director Joel Miller.
"The Menus were incredibly fun last year and we've got them coming back. We've got 14 great rib vendors who have been working hard tweaking their secret recipes. It's going to be a lot of fun again this year."
More than 8,000 people attended the 2007 rib fest and 2008 will mark the fourth year the event has taken place.
"I think people like to have fun, eat good food and hear great music. If you have those elements, you are on your way, no matter what type of event you have," Miller said.
The organizations taking part in preparing the ribs are: Napoleon Fire Department, Henry County Arts Council, Ridgeville Fire Department, Napoleon Aquatic Club, Pleasant Township Fire Departments, which include Holgate and New Bavaria, Henry County Red Cross, Filling Homes, Napoleon Optimists, ALS Foundation, First Call For Help, Hamler Fire Department, Napoleon Moose Lodge, Florida/Flatrock Fire Department and the Napoleon Eagles.
"There are so many different groups and individuals from all over Henry County who come out to help make this Rib Fest successful. It's great to see everyone come together to welcome people from all over the area into the county for some fun," said planning committee member Steve Thomas.
Entrance gates for the event will be located on North Perry, West Washington and East Washington streets in downtown Napoleon.
Band cover charge will be $2 for everyone 16-and-over. Those 16-and-under will be admitted free, but must be accompanied by an adult.
"We also have a great group of sponsors from the community that allow this event to happen. The Menus are sponsored by National City Bank. The rib vendors each have a sponsor that helps to pay for their ribs, so they keep the money from the ribs they sell. So, a big thank you to TMT Logistics, Bright.net, the Henry County Bank, B&B Molded Products, Midwest Community Federal Credit Union, Grogan's Towne, Culligan, Zelcor, J.A. Hillis Excavating, First Federal Bank, Welles Bowen Realtors -- Cheryl Hershberger and Suzette Gerken, S&B Construction, Mel Lanzer Co. Farmers and Merchants State Bank, Ameri-Team Real Estate -- Richard Luzny, Dan Hefflinger, Deb Franz, Chad Oberhaus, Fred Furney and L.J. Irving Jr. and Sons. Without them, we wouldn't be able to host this event," said Miller.
For more information, on the event, contact the Napoleon/Henry County Visitors Bureau at (419) 592-1786.