Rib Fest this weekend at VFW

Thu, May 22, 2008    to del.icio.us

The third annual Memorial Day weekend rib fest is prepped to flame with flavor.

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Dubbed as "Battle of the Bones," the rib cook-off features live entertainment Friday and Saturday, as well as scholarship donations. The public is invited.

Home base is the VFW Post 2326 at 20 N. First St. in Grand Haven. A beer tent will be set up outside the VFW post to host the party, according to event spokesman Fred LeMieux.

The event will fund the War/Goff Scholarship program, founded in the 1970s, to honor two local residents who fought and died in the Vietnam War.

To date, the Ward/Goff Scholarship fund has accumulated more than $30,000, according to LeMieux.

The goal is to distribute three $500 scholarships per year to local students.

"This is a good way to start out the summer," LeMieux said. "There's nothing that goes on in Grand Haven on Memorial Day weekend. With the Vietnam vets and the VFW, it just all ties in. This event benefits area students from the Grand Haven area."

Besides ribs for $1 or so a bone from Applebees, Damons, Rosebud Bar and Grill, Culvers, Old Boys Brewhouse, Donny's, Texas Roadhouse and Famous Daves, LeMieux said live entertainment should draw crowds in.

The musical lineup includes Back Seat Driver from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sweet Justice from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Tony Keck in between Sweet Justice sets and Seventh Son from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. The entertainment tent opens at 5 p.m. Friday and at noon Saturday.

"We want entertainment on that stage all the time," the event organizer said.

Rib fest judges include Grand Haven Tribune publisher Paul Bedient, Grand Haven City Councilman Mike Fritz and Fruitport High School culinary coach Michael Wheeler.

"This thing is getting bigger and bigger each year," LeMieux said. "We lost 21 men from this area in the wars – Korean, World War II and World War I – my goal is to eventually have a scholarship in each of their names. They paid the price and they deserve it. This is all for a good cause."

Visit www.vfwpost2326.com for more information.