Happy Harry’s RibFest brings heat to summer entertainment lineup – InForum

FARGO — The summer is about to get saucy.

Happy Harry’s RibFest will open on Wednesday, kicking off four days of barbecue, classic tunes and outdoor family fun at the Fargodome.

Promoters have taken to calling the annual event, “the kickoff to summer” and this year’s musical lineup is turning up the heat, said Fargodome Director of Marketing & Sales Sarah Dykema.

“It’s probably our strongest four nights of entertainment,” she said.

While the acts were booked with help from Jade Presents, which

announced last week that it was closing

with most of its shows canceled, the RibFest dates remain on.

Contributed / Fargodome

Things will get rocking Wednesday night when 1990s alternative rock band Spin Doctors brings its radio hits “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” and “Two Princes” to the stage. Tripwire will open at 7:15 p.m. followed by Spin Doctors at 8:45.

Thursday will be a night for the country fans with singer Chris Cagle revisiting his early 2000s hits like, “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out,” “What a Beautiful Day,” “Chicks Dig It” and “What Kinda Gone” starting at 8:45 p.m. Slamabama will open at 7:15.

Time will get turned way back to the 1970s on Friday as Foghat cranks out the classic rock with “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” “Fool for the City” and “Slow Ride.” Booz n Tuna will open at 7:30 p.m., followed by Foghat at 9.

Contributed / Fargodome

The volume will get turned up Saturday with a 1980/90s hard rock double shot. Face for Radio will open at 5:15 p.m., followed at 6:45 by FireHouse’s radio anthems “Don’t Treat Me Bad” and “All She Wrote” as well as power ballads “Love of a Lifetime” and “When I Look Into Your Eyes.” Former Runaways singer/guitarist Lita Ford will blast out the group’s signature “Cherry Bomb” as well as her solo hits “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever.” She will take the stage at 8:45 p.m.

“It’s pure excitement. Everyone is pumped,” Dykema said.

She added that RibFest has built a strong following with middle-aged, blue collar fans.

“We’ve noticed that 35-plus is our main demographic. That’s the crowd that shows up,” she said.

Still, she stresses that RibFest is for everyone.

“Any age you are, you’re going to hear songs people are familiar with,” she said.

Of course, music is only part of the draw. It wouldn’t be RibFest without the barbecue.

The lineup of six rib cookers is similar to last year, with one notable exception. Johnson’s Bar-B-Que from Virginia is taking time off from traveling and competing following the death of founder Dan Johnson in December.

“We’re sad they won’t be here this year,” Dykema said, adding that Johnson had been a RibFest regular for more than 20 years.

David Samson / The Forum

Carolina Catering will stock sweets like deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos as well as mini-donuts and cheese curds and Dykema hopes the vendor will offer corn on the cob again this year after not preparing it last year.

Games to Go is back for the second year in a row, but will be looking to bring in more attractions. Kids 6 and older can bounce all day for a $15 wrist band and kids 5 and younger can explore a kiddie land for $10.

There will also be a temporary sandbox for kids to play in during the event.

“It’s a parking lot, but we do our best to make it fun for the family,” Dykema said.

Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum

The parking lot atmosphere will be better fitted for Saturday’s Bison Tailgate. Coaches and student athletes from North Dakota State University as well as mascot Thundar will meet fans, sign autographs and pose for pictures from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Area first responders will also bring in vehicles for the Touch-a-Truck event so people can check out emergency rides.

“It makes for a really fun day for families,” Dykema said.

Parking and admission are free Wednesday through Friday and $5 each after 2 p.m. and all day Saturday. There is no additional fee for the nightly concerts.

“It’s probably the cheapest event around,” she said. “That’s a pretty great value.”