Ribs a'plenty at Brainerd street fest

It's been going on annually for the past 15 years-a community event filling a portion of downtown Brainerd with family, ribs and music.

And it'll be back again-Brainerd Street Fest, sponsored by the Brainerd Jaycees-for the 16th year on July 28-29. The two-day event includes music, a beanbag tournament, children's games and don't forget the main event, the Cub Foods Rib Fest.

Members of the Brainerd Jaycees established the summer event in 2002, when it was called the Great Northern Barbecue. The Jaycees' goal was to bring barbecue to the Brainerd lakes, thus creating a local barbecue competition and live music festival. Over the years, the nature of the event has changed a bit but has always included the Cub Foods Rib Fest, judged by the participants, who select the best nonprofit ribs and the best local business ribs. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in both categories, as well as a people's choice award and the best booth. Judges also will be blindfolded to make the contest more fair.

Entry fees for Rib Fest is $75 for nonprofits, $100 for businesses or individuals and $20 for the chicken wing challenge. All proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. The Rib Fest booths and the events will be set up in the Brainerd City Hall parking lot and on Laurel Street between Fifth and Sixth streets in downtown Brainerd.

Mike O'Day, chairman of Brainerd Street Fest, said so far they have sold about 400 tickets to people tasting the ribs, and there will be close to 2,000 pounds of ribs.

"Last year, we had 22 teams making ribs and we are trying for 30 this year," O'Day said. "I'm sure we will be able to make that goal. All of the proceeds go the Habitat for Humanity.

"The music is always awesome and will be again this year," O'Day said. "We added a band Saturday. ... This event will be a good time, good food and fun for the whole family."

Brainerd Street Fest starts 6 p.m. July 28 with the chicken wings tasting contest. Live music begins at 8 p.m. and goes to midnight. Music will be by SSCB-a Minneapolis cover band of four members, who were successful with original bands of Quietdrive, All The Right Moves, Take Cover and The Usual Things.

July 29 will be a day full of events:

• Noon, historic downtown walking tour, ending at the water tower.

• 1-3 p.m., children's games.

• 1-3 p.m., beanbag tournament. There is a cash entry fee.

• 1-3 p.m., music by Andy Fischer.

• 2 p.m., historic downtown walking tour.

• 3 p.m., pie and ice cream eating contest.

• 5-8 p.m., Seth Doud to perform.

• 6 p.m., Cub Foods Rib Fest. Cost is $20.

• 8 p.m., Ribfest awards for the top three rib teams in each category.

• 8 p.m. to midnight, Junk FM to perform.

Junk FM describes their music as "genre-bending mash-ups and juxtaposing styles ... (that) delivers an infectious high energy show by a crack team of musician-performers who just wanna see how ridiculous the dance floor can get over the course of the night."

Junk FM performs songs from Garth Brooks to Lady Gaga to Eminem and Green Day, Cee Lo Green to Rod Stewart.

1/4: This booth was one of many at a previous year's Brainerd Street Fest's Rib Fest competition in downtown Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey/Brainerd Dispatch file photo

2/4: Junk FM will perform 8 p.m. to midnight July 29 at Brainerd Street Fest in downtown Brainerd. Photo by Junk FM

3/4: SSCB will take its talent to the Brainerd Street Fest stage from 8 p.m. to midnight July 27 in downtown Brainerd. Photo by SSCB

4/4: Many people attended and tasted ribs at a previous year's Brainerd Street Fest's Rib Fest competition in downtown Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey/Brainerd Dispatch file photo