Award winning ribs coming to Manatee County

PALMETTO -- This event isn’t ma and pa’s backyard ribs on the grill. It’s eight of the most competitive, professional Rib Teams in the United States grilling ribs to benefit the community at Gulf Coast Rhythm & Ribfest.

Last year the Ribfest brought in 20,000 people, and this year that number could double.

“This whole event is to benefit local United Community Centers,“ said Patrick Carnegie, event organizer for a local Manatee County Community Center.

Gulf Coast Rhythm & Ribfest 2010 is a major annual fundraising event benefiting United Community Centers, a nonprofit organization that provides educational, social and recreational programs to thousands of low-income at-risk youth throughout Manatee County, since 1937.

Grills fire up to cook those ribs on Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Manatee County Fairgrounds

“We studied and researched this type of event for three years and decided it was a good project to do to raise money for the community,“ Carnegie added. ”It’s so unique to the area and this year is our fourth annual.“

Ribfest may be a unique event, but it’s a familiar smell and taste to folks in Manatee County and last year a lot of people showed up to eat. Carnegie said that since they double the amount of people coming each year, he expects to have more than 20,000 people over the weekend.

Now, let’s get back to those luscious ribs.

“Well when you talk to the rib judges, the rib professionals will tell you it’s all about what you like to taste when you eat ribs,“ he said. ”Some people like them as a smoky flavor, cooked over different types of wood.“

But then there’s the ribs cooked by people from different regions of the country, like Tennessee ribs, Ohio ribs, Carolina ribs, Alabama ribs, Virginia ribs.

You get the picture – ribs taste different from one region to the next. There are all types of flavors added to ribs and the Rib Teams hold their tasty secrets close.

So, you may not want to ask for the recipe or secret ingredients to that rib sauce you just tasted and that you now feel you can’t live without.

”People just love the Ribfest event because it is all-American,“ Carnegie said. ”It’s fun, and more fun and everyone having a good time.“

But what goes with those award winning ribs?

Well, of course, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, and collard greens.

”Everyone loves a cookout, so we just built this event around that,“ he said. ”I think what makes good ribs is the texture.

“When you bite into it, your taste buds are going crazy to have that sweet and sour combo taste topped off in smoky flavors.“

Erica Newport is a daily reporter for The Bradenton Times. She covers art, culture and community. If you have a story that might interest Erica, please e-mail her using erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com address.  She also takes your questions related to our weekly theme days and provides advice and opinions for our readers.

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