Annual Ribs, Rods & Rock ‘n Roll event ‘keeps tradition alive’

USD students and Vermillion community members were able to enjoy a car show, live music and food – lots of food – this past weekend.

Vermillion hosted its 11th Ribs, Rods & Rock ‘n Roll festival Sept. 11 and 12. The event draws thousands of people each year to Vermillion to experience a unique style of barbecue.

Randy Hammer, an event coordinator, said the festival started in 2001 as a way to celebrate the history of barbecue in South Dakota. During the 1930s and 1940s, locals would barbecues in the Bone Yard in lower Vermillion and would use corn cobs as a heat source.

The festival has continued with that tradition, while also allowing different types of modern barbecue that use various types of wood and charcoal.

“I think this is important because of the tradition,” Hammer said. “The old ways of cooking with the corn cob, no one else ever did that so we want to keep that tradition alive so Vermillion can wrap their arms around it and have something to look forward to every year.”

In addition to celebrating food, there was also live music and a car show for area residents to enjoy. Among the acts were national recording artists Made In Dixie and Guilty Pleasures Orchestra.

Jem Hof, a USD alumni and Yankton resident, said he has been competing in the festival for the past six years, and said he loves the event because it allows him to get together with friends who he might not normally see on a day-to-day basis.

“It’s good times, good people and good food is what (it) all boils down to,” Hof said. “This event is a lot of fun here, my friends and I that cook went to school here so it really gives us a chance to get together and have some fun.”

The festival included three different competitions: The Wings War, the People’s Choice Pulled Pork and the Kansas City Barbecue Society Championships. Dizzy’s Corn Cob Cookin’ took home first place in the Wings War and People’s Choice Pulled Pork competitions. Eggspert took home overall grand champion in the KCBS, also winning $2,000.

Many USD students were among the thousands of people to attend the event, however many students were not aware of the festival until they walked downtown.

First-year Theresa Godlewski said she and her friends were walking downtown to go shopping when they heard the event. Even though she didn’t know about it right away, Godlewski said she was happy they came.

“I’m from a really big town, so this feels really nice and homey,” Godlewski said. “The food here is amazing. I’d definitely recommend it.”

(Photo: Patrons at the 11th annual Ribs, Rods and Rock and Roll Festival sit down and enjoy the ribs cooked at the event. The festival allowed visitors to try different types of modern barbeque that used different types of wood and charcoal while cooking. Sydney Mook / The Volante)