Ribberfest

This is just a fun festival. Blues, BBQ and more. It may not be Bonaroo, but we’re happy with it just the same.

Advertised as a BBQ and blues fest, it certainly lives up to the blues claim. IF YOU ARE A BLUES FAN, this is the place to be. They offer up some great talent. As for the BBQ, once you have eaten, and there are some pretty good vittles there, the BBQ portion of the fest is subtracted from the equation leaving not a whole lot to do if you are not into the music or into the competition aspect of the BBQ. I was very surprised that there were no other vendors/​artists included in the festival.
You have to purchase tickets to buy food or drinks which is to their advantage because if you over estimate how many tickets you need, they are not refundable, you are just out the money. No coolers are allowed which is understandable, they need to make a profit. I don’t understand why umbrellas are not allowed. They say it is to avoid blocking the view of the stage for the people behind you. Yet in the evening when the crowd gets larger, they allow spectators to stand between the stage and the seating area, blocking the view anyway. They need to work on that. I doubt I will go back unless there is a band that I feel like I must see.
Now, that being said, I encourage everyone to visit the town of Madison at least once. The historic district is BEAUTIFUL! and the architecture makes you feel like you are in a mini version of Charleston or Savannah. I do plan to return soon on a quiet weekend (Madison has several festivals each year) when I can take my time to enjoy the beauty of the town.

For those who are not familiar with Ribberfest it is a combination barbecue and blues festival set along the Ohio River in August. It usually has three performers Friday evening and six on Saturday. I have attended the last five years so I feel that I have a good feel for the event.
Pros: If you are a blues fan this is one place where you can catch some very top notch talent. Go to the website and see who has been there the past nine years and you will see what I mean. The setting for the music is in a natural amphitheater area rising from the river towards town.
Even if you are not a barbecue fan the food is very good with differing themes of barbecue to suit all tastes.
The admission price is reasonable, $ 15.00 for Saturday this year with a $ 20.00 two day price available if purchased early.
You can bring in your own lawn chairs which is good because there is no permanent seating other than picnic tables (this was the first year for them). This is not noted on the website!
Cons: BEWARE the website for this event does not list all of the DO NOT’s for this event. If you live a distance from Madison you will not find out until too late what you can bring into the event, or more importantly what you can not bring in. Security almost frisks everyone to make sure you aren’t bringing in «outside» food or drink. No umbrellas or canopies which is okay except there is no shade and sitting in the Indiana sun in August is a real killer. No shelter if it rains either. No coolers, pets etc. Several people made reference to this during the event this year.
Parking is where you can find it and often that is many blocks away from the event.
Some people decide that this is the time and place to yak their heads off to their neighbors who they see every day. I am not talking a quite conversation but load, rude obnoxious behavior that would not be tolerated at any other music event.
You have to buy tickets to buy food, drink etc here. If you have extra tickets you basically threw your money away.
Except for the music there is no real reason to pay to get into the event, you can get food elsewhere.
Bottom line: should you go, yes if you like live blues by talented musicians. The performers are selected to have different flavors of the blues. The bill gives someone the opportunity to see talent they may not have known prior to the event.
This is the first place I saw acts I may not have know prior to the event such as: Davina and the Vagabonds, Eden Brent, Reverend Raven, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Deanna Bogart, Big Al and the Heavyweights. If you ever get the chance to see one of these acts do it!
I would give it a 3.5 star rating overall and a 5 star rating for the actual music.

A terrificaly fun Blues and BBQ festival. Excellent BBQ ! Some good brews
Excellent Blues bands all evening Friday… all day Saturday… always superb bands and headliners !