Elkhorn Ribfest 2024 Preview & Expert Tips

It is time for the Midwest’s Premier National Rib Competition!  Elkhorn Ribfest kicks off its 8th annual competition on July 10, 2024. Enjoy 5 days of delicious BBQ made by some of the best BBQ Pit Masters in the world.

We have been enjoying Elkhorn Ribfest since the very beginning, and it gets better every year!  We wanted to share some of our personal favorite vendors, as well as share some additional details about this can’t miss, mouthwatering event.

Event Date & Location

Elkhorn Ribfest kicks off this amazing 5-day event at the Walworth County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, July 10, and runs through Sunday, July 14.

Parking and admission into the event are free!

Hours for the Event are as Follows:

Wednesday, July 10: 3:00PM – 11:00PM

Thursday, July 11: 11:00AM – 11:00PM

Friday, July 12: 11:00AM – 11:00PM

Saturday, July 13: 11:00AM – 11:00PM

Sunday, July 14: 11:00AM – 9:00PM

Entertainment

Not only can you expect some of the best BBQ you’ve ever had at Ribfest, but you can also expect to spend the day there enjoying live music, riding the carnival rides, and strolling through the artisan village.

  1. Live Music – The daily music line-up at Ribfest is packed with a variety of live music performances from local bands and musicians.  They have 2 stages with live music ready to play your favorite hit.  For a complete listing of their music lineup, visit their website.
  2. The Carnival – They have carnival rides and games for all ages to enjoy.  You are able to purchase single tickets or if you want to enjoy the rides all day, be sure to purchase the wristband.
  3. Artisan Vendor Alley – These vendors have some one-of-a-kind, handmade items, so be sure to take a stroll through their tents and displays to take a look and find your latest treasure.

Our Past Favorites

Now, you know that we are foodies, and when there is a festival that involves some delicious food, we will be there!

As we said, we have been attending Elkhorn Ribfest since the very beginning and have been able to enjoy our fair share of BBQ.  We have seen various vendors come and go, but thankfully our favorites continue to come back year after year.

With 12 BBQ Vendors at the event this year it is hard to even know where to begin.  We wanted to share some of our past favorites so you can be sure to add these vendors to your list of must-try items.

Our Favorite Ribs

  1. Aussom Aussie – These guys won the Grand Champion Pro-Division in 2023, and it was no surprise to us.  We found ourselves ordering their ribs on multiple occasions, and their Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce is a must try.
  2.  Salt Creek – We tried Salt Creek for the first-time last year, and boy have we been missing out!  The ribs had a bit of caramelization on them and were fall-off-the-bone delicious.
  3. Just North of Memphis – We highly recommend trying the Dry-Rub Ribs from Just North of Memphis.  No sauce needed, as the seasoning and spices on these dry-rub ribs are amazing.
  4. Mr. Greens – Mr. Greens is a local BBQ vendor, and always is a favorite.  They won the Grand Champion Pro-Division in 2021 and won People’s Choice in 2023.

Our Favorite Food Items, Besides Ribs

We love a good tender rack of ribs, but Ribfest has other must try BBQ items as well.  We actually found ourselves ordering these two items almost every day last year, and we highly recommend you giving these a try.

  1. Outback Mac – This BBQ Pork Sandwich is topped with Mac and cheese all built on a pretzel bun. It is one of the best sandwiches at Ribfest in our opinion and can be found at Aussom Aussie.
  2. Lone Star Stack – We just found this item in 2023 and easily became one of the top-5 items we have tried over the past 8-years of the event.  It consists of jalapeño corn bread, and is topped with Mac and cheese, brisket, and BBQ sauce. It was SO good, and we cannot wait to get our hands on this one this week.

Our Favorite Dessert

  1. Peach Bread Pudding – There is no question when it comes to our favorite dessert.  The Peach Bread Pudding from Just North of Memphis is the perfect way to end the meal.  We recommend getting some sooner, rather than later, as they usually sell out the last day of the event.

Some Additional Tips

  1. Go with a Group and Sample – There is no way that you’d be able to sample all of these competitor’s ribs by yourself.  I’d suggest going with a group of people and splitting up.  Get a half rack or a full rack from some of the vendors and meet up to sample them.  You can always go back for more of your favorites.
  2. Try More than Just Ribs – Yes, this is a National Rib Competition, and the ribs are fall off the bone, but try some additional items from the BBQ vendors. There will be brisket, chicken, mac and cheese, pulled pork, nachos, and other essential BBQ sides, so be sure to try some of those items too.  You won’t be disappointed.
  3. Carry Some Cash and Bring Your Card – Many of the food vendors take card and cash, but beer and wine sales are card only.
  4. Grab a Beer to Enjoy While Waiting in Line – The lines might be long and seem overwhelming at first, but once you taste the food, you’ll agree that it is totally worth it!  Just stop by the beer tent before you get in line and grab a beer or cup of wine to enjoy while you are waiting.
  5. Purchase Some BBQ Sauces and Rubs – Many vendors sell their award-winning BBQ Sauces and rubs at the event.  If you find a favorite, be sure to stock up on them so you can elevate your BBQ game and enjoy them at your next backyard cookout.

Elkhorn Ribfest’s motto is “Good food! Good music! Good times!” And that is exactly what you can expect when you attend! For more details about the largest BBQ Festival in Wisconsin, be sure to check out their website.

We will be there every day highlighting our latest mouthwatering bite and will be sharing more insider tips.

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