Going to the Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest? Here's who's playing and cooking

Belinda M. Paschal and Grace Tucker, The Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·4 min read
Among the homegrown acts appearing at this weekend's Jazz & Rib Fest, Columbus jazz-funk-fusion quartet fo/mo/deep will perform on the Rich Street Stage at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Among the homegrown acts appearing at this weekend's Jazz & Rib Fest, Columbus jazz-funk-fusion quartet fo/mo/deep will perform on the Rich Street Stage at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

If you enjoy smokin' jazz beats and even smokier meats, there's a three-day festival just around the corner with your name written all over it.

The Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest, hosted by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, will return for its 42nd year Friday through Sunday. Tucked along the Scioto Mile Downtown riverfront, festivities will feature barbecue vendors from across the country and nationally acclaimed artists hosted across the event's three stages — the Bicentennial Park Stage, West Bank Park Stage and the Rich Street Stage.

The foundation for the Jazz & Rib Fest was laid more than 40 years ago when Music in the Air, a program of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, began the Jazz in July series in 1979 to share jazz through film, visual arts and music events around the city. The following year, Music in the Air launched the inaugural Riverfront Jazz Festival.

R&B singer-songwriter Stephanie Mills will perform at the Jazz & Rib Fest on Saturday.
R&B singer-songwriter Stephanie Mills will perform at the Jazz & Rib Fest on Saturday.

In 1990, the Riverfront Jazz Festival and UpDowntowners’ RibFest (which was produced separately but held simultaneously with the jazz festival) merged to become the Jazz & Rib Fest as it's known today.

Before you pack up your blankets and lawn chairs, here are some details that will come in handy for your trip to the Jazz & Rib Fest.

Where and when exactly will the Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest be held?

The festival will take place on the Downtown Columbus riverfront along the Scioto Mile in Bicentennial Park, 233 S. Civic Center Drive, and West Bank Park, 303 W. Main St. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

How much does it cost to get in?

Admission is free.

Where will parking be available?

Those planning on driving to the event will have parking options throughout Downtown, including at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), 200 Civic Center Drive and area surface lots. Drivers are encouraged to reserve their parking ahead of time through the Park Columbus app.

Who's in the music lineup?

This year's lineup features over three dozen nationally acclaimed jazz artists with concerts running across the event's three venues throughout each day. Headlining on Friday night is Grammy Award-winning master trumpeter and composer Chris Botti, followed by Grammy award-winning singer and Broadway star Stephanie Mills on Saturday night and Grammy, Billboard and Emmy award-winning classical artist Arturo Sandoval on Sunday night.

While award-winning artist Arturo Sandoval is hailed as a jazz trumpet and flugelhorn virtuoso, he's also skilled on piano, timbales, keyboards and vocals. Sandoval, who has previously played the Jazz & Rib Fest, will be back this year for a performance on the West Bank Stage at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
While award-winning artist Arturo Sandoval is hailed as a jazz trumpet and flugelhorn virtuoso, he's also skilled on piano, timbales, keyboards and vocals. Sandoval, who has previously played the Jazz & Rib Fest, will be back this year for a performance on the West Bank Stage at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

A complete performance schedule can be found on the festival's website: hotribscooljazz.org/full-schedule/

Who's in charge of ribs this year?

Music won't be the only attraction at the Jazz & Rib Fest, where attendees will queue up for 'cue this weekend in Downtown Columbus. Off the Bone BBQ from Mobile, Alabama, pictured at the 2022 festival, will join more than a dozen other vendors at this year's event.
Music won't be the only attraction at the Jazz & Rib Fest, where attendees will queue up for 'cue this weekend in Downtown Columbus. Off the Bone BBQ from Mobile, Alabama, pictured at the 2022 festival, will join more than a dozen other vendors at this year's event.

Seventeen local and national barbecue vendors will be serving up saucy slabs including Austin’s Texas Lightning BBQ and Buck 'Em BBQ from Texas; Chicago Barbecue Company; and Carolina Rib King from South Carolina. Of course, a handful of Ohio-based vendors will also be making a showing, including Malloy's BBQ from Richmond Heights, Pigfoot BBQ Co. from Mentor and Columbus's own Good & Tasty BBQ.

Those in the mood for something other than barbecue will have plenty of options with an array of vendors including Sofi's Mini Donuts, Honey Child Artisan Pops and seafood from Shrimp Lips.

A full list of vendors can be found on the festival's website: www.hotribscooljazz.org

What forms of payment will be accepted?

Beverage booths will be cashless; all major credit cards and mobile pay options will be accepted. For barbecue and food vendors, forms of payment will be determined individually by each vendor.

Customers flock to order from Carolina Rib King during last year's Jazz & Rib Fest in Downtown Columbus. The South Carolina barbecue business is returning to this year's festival, which will be held Friday through Sunday along the Scioto Mile riverfront.
Customers flock to order from Carolina Rib King during last year's Jazz & Rib Fest in Downtown Columbus. The South Carolina barbecue business is returning to this year's festival, which will be held Friday through Sunday along the Scioto Mile riverfront.

Can I bring my bike or scooter on festival grounds?

Yes, but they must be walked — not ridden — through the fest and parked on the perimeter of the grounds.

Can I bring a cooler or grill?

Coolers are permitted as long as they don't contain alcohol or glass bottles and containers, and they must be labeled with a name and cell phone number. Grilling, as well as cooking and campfires, is not allowed anywhere on the festival grounds.

What about bringing music or recording equipment?

Megaphones, portable stereos, recording or amplification equipment of any kind are prohibited.

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Are pets allowed?

While festival-goers are strongly urged to leave pets at home in cool, calm and comfort, animals will be permitted. They must remain leashed at all times and owners must clean up after them.

What else is not allowed on festival grounds?

Attendees may not bring illegal weapons, laser pointers, unauthorized motorized vehicles, skateboards, hoverboards or tobacco products. Also, unauthorized vending, handbills, petitioning and solicitation are not permitted.

Where can I get more information?

Stage schedules, a list of vendors, a festival map and more can be found at hotribscooljazz.org.

bpaschal@dispatch.com

gtucker@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What you need to know about Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest 2023