2018 Ribfest - Mankato, MN
2018 Ribfest - Mankato, MN

The bad news is that RibFest signals summer is quickly drawing to a close. The good news is, well, RibFest!

Headliners this year include John Micheal Montgomery, Bret Michaels, and Sugar Ray. With a gate price of $10 a day you can’t go wrong.

Photo by Rick Pepper - 2013 RibFest in Riverfront Park, Mankato - "Famous" Dave Anderson adding a final touch as ambassador for Famous Dave's
Photo by Rick Pepper – 2013 RibFest in Riverfront Park, Mankato – “Famous” Dave Anderson adding a final touch as ambassador for Famous Dave’s

The 2018 Festival will be the first to enjoy improvements to the Vetter Stone Amphitheater designed to increase seating capacity, the view from every seat, and to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

If you’re just looking for some sauce-slathered smoky meat there are gate-fee-free times Saturday and all day Sunday!

Six rib vendors are on board for this year’s event. Ribbers are traveling from across the world and all corners of the United States. They’ll compete for bragging rights in the categories Best Ribs, Best Pulled Pork, and KEYC News 12’s People’s Choice.

If you’re just looking for some sauce-slathered smokY meat there are gate-fee-free times Saturday and all day Sunday!

Photo by Rick Pepper - 2013 Ribfest in Riverfront Park, Mankato - Ribbers!
Photo by Rick Pepper – 2013 RibFest in Riverfront Park, Mankato – Ribbers!

The 21st annual RibFest starts on Thursday, August 2nd thru Sunday, August 5th at Vetter Stone Amphitheater in Riverfront Park, Mankato.

Parking at Riverfront Park is extremely limited. Free parking is available in many downtown Mankato ramps with shuttle service to the park beginning at 5:00 pm every evening of the festival.

Tickets, including general admission and reserved seating for performances are available at Ticketmaster. General admission tickets are available at the gate.

Festival Schedule

Thursday, August 2nd, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm ~ Tickets: $10

Friday, August 3rd, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm ~ Tickets: $10

Saturday, August 4th, Noon – 3:00 pm ~ Free

Saturday, August 4th, 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm ~ Tickets: $10

Sunday, August 5th, Noon – 5:00 pm ~ Free

This Year’s Ribbers

Additional Food Vendors

Additional Links

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Photo by Rick Pepper - 2013 RibFest in Riverfront Park, Mankato - Texas Thunder BBQ
Photo by Rick Pepper – 2013 RibFest in Riverfront Park, Mankato – Texas Thunder BBQ
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Photo by Rick Pepper – 2013 RibFest in Riverfront Park, Mankato – Famous Dave’s rack of ribs
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Photo by Rick Pepper – 2013 RibFest in Riverfront Park, Mankato – Big Boned BBQ
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Photo by Rick Pepper – 2013 Ribfest in Riverfront Park, Mankato – Uncle Bub’s
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Photo by Rick Pepper – 2013 RibFest in Riverfront Park, Mankato – Chicago BBQ Company