The City of Akron hosted some 44,000 revelers over four days at its 37th annual 4th of July weekend festival in Downtown Akron.
Rib, White & Blue, the city’s 4-day rib burn-off was capped-off Monday night with an Akron Symphony concert and a spectacular fireworks show inside Lock 3 to the delight of over 18,000 visitors to the South Main Street festival.
Barbeque experts from Moore, South Carolina walked away with cash awards for both “best ribs” AND “best sauce.” Carolina Rib King won the $1,000 prize for ribs and took home the $500 check for sauce, beating eight other competitors.
Runners-up in the “best sauce” category were the Aussom Aussie from Sidney Australia (3rd place trophy,) and Cowboy’s BBQ from Aledo, Texas (2nd place trophy.)
In “best ribs,” Cowboy’s took 3rd place, while Big Show BBQ of Kansas City, Missouri was the second runner-up.
The contest was decided by a tally of scores put together by a panel of independent judges that included a local businessman, a Downtown ambassador, city and police officials.
