Roc City Rib Fest

Not the fanciest stand but possibly the best ribs!

For the past couple of years I've been trying my hand at smoking barbeque ribs.  I bought a nice combination smoker grill a couple of summers ago and have made ribs a half dozen times or so.  When I heard about the Roc City Ribfest held on Memorial Day weekend in Genesee Valley Park, I decided it would be an event worth attending to see how well my ribs hold up against the pros. 

Doug enjoying some ribs.

Amy, Doug and I spent the early afternoon wandering the show grounds and sampling some of the ribs from the vendors on hand.  We purchased samplers from 2 national chains and 2 local establishments. We all agreed that the best ribs of those we tasted came from Bad to the Bone out of Williamson, NY.

One of the contestants preparing for an overnight cooking.

The weather was a bit cool but the sun was out and the sky was clear.  We eventually wandered into the area where the contestants camp out and had a nice chat with a couple from Rhode Island that were competing.  This is a weekend long event with multiple side contests before the big judging takes place on Sunday.  The gentleman we were talking with was preparing some pork butt for what he said would be 13+ hours of smoking to be judged Sunday afternoon.  His plan was to let the rub sit for several hours and throw it in the smoker around 10:00 PM for an all night cook. 

One of the many delicious looking desserts being turned in for judging.

As we were talking with him and his wife, a parade of fabulous looking desserts went by.  Evidently one of the side contests was for the best dessert where one of the ingredients had to be bacon!  This sounds a bit weird but the dishes that were being turned in for judging sure looked yummy.  I worked my way to the entry table and took some pictures as they were being presented.  Amy and I were both wondering what it would take to be a judge at one of these things!

Another yummy dessert.

Entrance to the event.

By mid afternoon the crowds had picked up.