Barbeque Fest reports record year

Carolyn Mudgette updated local Historic City News reporters on the final accounting for this year’s Rhythm & Ribs Festival and charitable benefit event, sponsored by Bozard Ford.

Festival coordinator Mark Litzinger and host St. Augustine Sunrise Rotary club President Brad Brown reported that their proceeds this year were $101,000.

Rhythm & Ribs was in 1995 as an event from which all proceeds are donated to charitable organizations in the form of contributions for local and international service oriented projects; as well as providing a fun filled weekend for the St. Augustine community.

What began as a small Barbeque Fest (its original name) has grown each year and attracts music lovers and barbeque aficionados from all over the Southeast. Over 20,000 visitors come to enjoy the fun over the festival weekend.

“Rhythm & Ribs is a volunteer effort of many more people than just our club members,” Mudgette told Historic City News. “Over 200 volunteers put in over 2,000 hours to run the festival for three days.”

Additionally, thousands of hours are spent planning the festival. All the members of the St. Augustine Sunrise Rotary Club volunteer most of their weekend alongside their many friends and fellow supporters.

As the Festival has grown, the music line up has expanded to include headliners such as Leon Russell, Dave Mason, J.J. Grey & Mofro along with many well-loved local musicians.

The Festival is held every year on Palm Sunday weekend.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Carolyn Mudgette