COLUMBUS – The grills and the sidewalks will be sizzling this weekend in downtown Columbus as the 37th annual Jazz & Rib Fest fills the Scioto Mile with the savory smells of barbecued ribs, brisket, pulled pork and other delicacies while the mercury rises to its highest levels of the season.
The Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest, presented by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department: July 22 and 23 (11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.) and July 24 (11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.) Admission is free.
This year’s festival includes 44 live performances by local artists and world-renowned jazz stars on three stages in Bicentennial, West Bank and Genoa Parks.
Ribs, chicken and other mouth-watering treats will be served up by 23 award-winning barbeque teams.
Headlining acts range from smooth to funky and everything in between, including Doc Severinsen and Byron, BWB: Norman Brown, Kirk Whalum and Rick Braun; Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Tower of Power; Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Octet; Spyro Gyra; Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band; Joey DeFrancesco Quartet; and Cindy Bradley with Chris Strandring.
Downtown streets began closing Thursday morning and will remain closed until early Monday:
Civic Center Drive from Broad Street to Cherry Street
Town Street at Ludlow and at Bell Street
Rich Street at Front Street
Cherry Street at Ludlow
Second Street at Noble Alley
Jewett Street at Noble Street and Mound Street
Bell Street at State Streeet
Town Street at Starling Street
Drivers are encouraged to use I-670 or W. Broad Street as alternate east-west routes.