Ribs + 80's music = Summer in CLE!

There are many signs of summer in Cleveland.  Patios are once again full of patrons enjoying drinks.  The Tribe is once again underway at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.  Boats once again float along Lake Erie.  Sundresses and sandals make their way out of hibernation.  Temperatures (in theory) get warmer and days get longer.  Kids and teachers countdown the remaining days of school.  For many, Memorial Day Weekend signifies the unofficial start to summer.  Communities hold parades to honor those lost defending our freedom.  Families have their first official cookout of the season.  There is one event that has marked the unofficial start of summer in Cleveland for the past 22 years, The Marc's Great American Rib-Cook Off & Music Festival at Jacob's Pavilion.  Once again, hungry Clevelanders will be welcoming summer on the West bank of the Flats May 24-27.

Highlights this year will include:

• Marc's amateur grilling competition on Saturday, May 25
• Greatest Ribs in America, Greatest Sauce in America, and People's Choice awards on Monday, May 27
• The new Riverside Dining area and terrace
• Performances by Mega 80's: The Ultimate 80's Reto Party (Friday night), Rick Springfield (Saturday night), Buddy Guy (Sunday night), and Bret Michaels (Monday evening)

I love the 80's

Tickets are $5 for adults and kids under 12 are FREE.  Fox 8 is also sponsoring a Rock & Ribs dining deal for $31 which includes $40 worth of food and two general admission tickets.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.fox8.com/rib or at area Marc's stores.  Entertainment is included with admission, however prime reserve tickets for Rick, Buddy, and Bret are available at livenation.com.  I also have two general admission tickets that YOU can win right here!  There are three ways to enter!

1. Tell me your favorite way to kick off summer in Cleveland. (Tribe games!)
2. What is your favorite 80's band and/or song? (Tough one here...I have to go with "Don't Stop Believing" but I love it all!)
3. Tweet "I want to kick off summer in #CLE and rock out with @HungryInCLE at #TheGreatAmericanRibCookOff! http://bit.ly/11gttda"  (You can tweet daily.  Please leave a comment telling me you did so)

Contest ends Sunday, May 12 at noon.  Winner will be announced Monday morning.  Good luck!!!

**Disclaimer:  I was asked to promote the Marc's Great American Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival. In return, I was given two general admission tickets for myself, and another pair to give away on the blog.  All opinions are 100% my own!**