Tops Great American Rib Cook-Off & Music Festival Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Tops Great American Rib Cook-Off & Music Festival Celebrates 15th Anniversary

More than 1.3 Million Meat and Music Lovers Served

CLEVELAND, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Each Memorial Day weekend Northeast Ohioans follow the scent of barbeque to downtown Cleveland. The smoky trail has led more than 1.3 million meat and music fans to the Tops Great American Rib Cook-Off & Music Festival, presented by Pepsi, Friday! in The Plain Dealer and WKYC-TV 3. The official kick-off to summer and Cleveland's biggest backyard barbeque takes place Thursday, May 25 through Monday, May 29, 2006 at Tower City Amphitheater. To celebrate our 15th anniversary, admission to the Rib Cook-Off will be FREE Thursday, May 25!

Sample award-winning ribs from the grilling greats! Master grillers from Arkansas to Chicago trek to Cleveland to clash spatulas and showcase their secret recipes. Eleven teams will be grillin' to see who will be crowned with "Greatest Ribs in America," "Greatest Sauce in America" and of course, the Classic Mini Cooper "People's Choice."

While the sauce and bones ease hunger pains, live entertainment from national, regional and local bands will satisfy all musical cravings. The party begins Thursday at 7PM with Alexa Ray Joel on the F.Y.E. Stage. Following Alexa Ray, enjoy new artist Michael Tolcher. On the Bud Light Stage catch local favorite's Roberto Ocasio's Latin Jazz Project and reggae by I-TAL. On Friday, May 26, listen to Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors and the return of Alexa Ray Joel. Rib Cook-Off favorites, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, rock on Saturday, May 27. On Sunday, May 28, Rick Springfield brings his chart-topping hits to TCA along with The Simpletons and Tony Rio and Relentless. Celebrate Memorial Day with swingin' tunes from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The Povertyneck Hillbillies and Cleveland's own Whisky Daredevils. For an additional charge, reserve seat tickets are available for most performances.

Adult admission is $6; kids under 12 are FREE. Entertainment is FREE with general admission. Save $2.00 on general admission at the gate with a Tops BONUSCARD (four admissions).

For more information, call 216/522-4822 or visit www.cleveland.com/rib .

Festival Dates and Times
Thursday, May 25 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday, May 26 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, May 27 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, May 28 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Monday, May 29 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Source: Live Nation

CONTACT: Jamie Maier of Stern PR, +1-216-464-4850, or
jamiemaier@sternadvertising.com

Web site: http://www.cleveland.com/rib

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