Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Tracy Lawrence, Blue Oyster Cult and Chuck Wicks to Perform at Miami-Dade Parks 2009 Ribfest, Presented by Miller Lite

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Tracy Lawrence, Blue Oyster Cult and Chuck Wicks to Perform at Miami-Dade Parks 2009 Ribfest, Presented by Miller Lite

Ribfest 2009, Presented by Miller Lite, takes over Homestead Air Reserve Park with a Grilling and Live Music Extravaganza

MIAMI, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Miami-Dade Park & Recreation, in partnership with Eventus, a leading national experiential, sports and entertainment company, announced today sizzling performances and details for Ribfest 2009, South Florida's annual largest barbecue and live music festival. The two-day event will be held in Miami's southern heartland of Homestead, FL, on Saturday and Sunday, November 7 - 8, at Homestead Air Reserve Park, located at SW 268 Street (Moody Drive) and SW 122 Avenue. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Joan Jett and the BlackHearts, and rock group Blue Oyster Cult will headline Saturday's classic rock line-up. Chart-topping country music singers Tracy Lawrence and Chuck Wicks are slated to headline on Sunday.

Presented by Miller Lite, Miami-Dade Parks Ribfest is fired-up with over a dozen grill masters who will compete head-to-head for the best barbecue meat and sauce; from ribs and chicken, to pork and brisket, award winning "ribbers" will be put to the test during the weekend's ultimate grill challenge. The two-day food and music extravaganza will showcase live performances by some of the hottest rock and country music artists; fun-filled activities at the Winn Dixie Family Fun Zone; horse shows; great food; arts & crafts vendors; classic car show; motorcycle rally; and much more.

"Fans of Ribfest have made this event an annual tradition that attracts more than 25,000 people from throughout the region, and we're proud to announce this year's line-up to them," said Jack Kardys, director of the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department. "Nowhere else in South Florida can you eat some of the finest barbecue and ribs in the nation, hot off the grill, and simultaneously enjoy concerts by some of the world's leading artists, all in a beautiful outdoor setting for a moderate cost. Strategic partnerships with Eventus and corporate sponsors like Miller Lite enable Miami-Dade Parks to continue to offer Miami-Dade County residents such high-quality, family-friendly annual events like Ribfest, now in its sixth year at Homestead Air Reserve Park."

"As a national entertainment company, it is great to be partnering with the Miami-Dade County Park & Recreation Department right in our own backyard. Our goal is to continue to build Ribfest both regionally and nationally by offering consumers an unparalleled event experience, capitalizing on staples of our culture... ribs and music," said Eventus President & CEO, Nelson Albareda.

Ribfest will be held from 11 a.m. -10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 and from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8. Tickets at the door will be $15 per person and advanced special family packages are available through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Children 10 and under will be admitted free. Parking is $5 per vehicle; no coolers allowed. Ribfest sponsors include Miller Lite, Winn-Dixie, Boost Mobile, Waste Management, and Peterson's Harley-Davidson. For more information on Ribfest, visit www.miamiribfest.com or call 305-668-4343 Ext 224.

About the Entertainment

Legendary artist Joan Jett has been a pop culture icon since she was 15 years old. A singer, songwriter, guitarist and one of only two women on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 greatest guitar players of all time, Jett has received eight platinum and gold albums as well as nine Top 40 singles including songs like "Bad Reputation", "I Love Rock and Roll" and "I hate Myself for Loving You". www.joanjett.com

With a career spanning more than three decades, Blue Oyster Cult is an American rock band formed in New York in 1967 and still active in 2009. The group is especially well known for songs including "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", "Astronomy", "Godzilla", and "Burnin' for You". They have sold over 14 million albums worldwide, including 7 million in the U.S.A. alone. www.blueoystercult.com

One of the premier voices of his generation, singer Tracy Lawrence is one of American's greatest country music talents. Lawrence has released nine studio albums, three compilations, a live album, and a Christmas album since his debut in 1991. His studio albums have accounted for more than thirty singles on the Billboard country music charts. Of these, eight have reached Number One: "Sticks and Stones" (1991), "Alibis", "Can't Break It to My Heart", "My Second Home"(all 1993), "If the Good Die Young" (1994), "Texas Tornado" (1995), "Time Marches On" (1996), and "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" (2006). Most currently Lawrence released the single "Up to Him" in early 2009. www.tracylawrence.com

Singer and songwriter Chuck Wicks was one of the participants on the American reality series Nashville, which aired on Fox Networks in late 2007, following the show he signed to RCA Records Nashville as a recording artist. He soon took the country format by storm with his Top 5 debut single, "Stealing Cinderella," and his Top 15 follow-up hit, "All I Ever Wanted". Most recently he earned a whole new audience of fans as a celebrity contestant paired with real-life girlfriend Julianne Hough on the ABC mega-hit Dancing with the Stars. Wicks, who took his songs on the road in 2008, opening for Brad Paisley continues to grow a strong sense of his own musical identity and continues to shine in the country stage. www.chuckwicks.com

About Miami-Dade Parks

Miami-Dade Parks, a three-time National Gold Medal Award (AAPRA and NRPA) winner, Florida Governor's 2009 Sterling Award winner, and an accredited agency, is the third largest park system in the United States, consisting of 258 parks and more than 12,600 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the nation. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises after-school, sports-development and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; arts and culture programs and events; environmental restoration efforts; Miami MetroZoo and Deering Estate; Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Ericsson Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; and more. The Miami-Dade Parks mission is to create outstanding recreational, natural and cultural experiences to enrich you and to enhance our community for this and future generations.

About Eventus

Eventus is the leading national Hispanic experiential, sports and entertainment company with corporate offices in Miami. Its mission is to continuously deliver innovative event properties and integrated promotional programs targeting the U.S. Hispanic market. For more information on Eventus, visit www.eventusmarketing.com.

To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call (305) 361-2345.

Source: Eventus

CONTACT: Roselin Cruz-Sotero, Eventus, +1-305-668-4343 Ext 201,
rcsotero@eventusmarketing.com; Edith Torres, Miami-Dade Park & Recreation,
+1-305-755-7862, etorres@miamidade.gov

Web Site: http://www.eventusmarketing.com/

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