St. Augustine’s annual Rhythm & Ribs Festival Celebrates 25 Years

St. Augustine — Sporting country music stars, the three-day, outdoor music and BBQ festival will feature headliners and legends in between a fierce BBQ competition and family-friendly activities.

Musical superstars will include the likes of The Carpetbaggers, The Luke Langford Band, Walker Montgomery, Jordan Fletcher, One Good Ring, Davis and the Loose Canons, DJ El, Darrel Rae, Jordan Rae, Muscadine Bloodline and Saturday night’s show-topper, country music legend Travis Tritt.

According to its founder and host, the Sunrise Rotary Club of St. Augustine, the three-day, festival is an effort made by almost 350 volunteers working over 2,000 hours in addition to the hours spent planning the yearly event.

“Since 1995, Rhythm & Ribs has been a charitable event that positively impacts the entire community,” said Andrew Morgan, past president of the Club. “What began as a small Barbeque Fest - its original name - has grown to attract music legends and barbeque aficionados from all over the Southeast.”

Event proceeds will be divided between one global charity and over 100 local charities within St. Johns County. Morgan said that the Club has donated more than one-million dollars in the festival’s 25-year history.

“This event has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities,” he said. “The money stays here and helps here.”

Morgan also described the food as something that no one should miss.

“You can’t believe how big the barbecue vendors are,” he continued. “There are five that travel the country competing and serving from gigantic vehicles in festivals like ours. We can have a debate, what’s better, the food or the music?

“The Rhythm & Ribs Festival is a great comeback to St. Augustine after COVID,” said Melissa Wissel Communications Director for the City of St. Augustine. “We are excited to bring activity back to downtown and fun back to Francis Field after being without festivals for almost a year and a half.”

Francis Field is located behind the Visitors Information Center and parking garage, on West Castillo Drive in the heart of historic downtown St. Augustine.

Schedule: Friday, October 15, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, October 16, 12:30 to 10:00 p.m.; and Sunday, October 17, 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Ticket prices vary. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at www.bigtickets.com/events/rhythm-ribs-festival/2021/

Children 15 and younger will be admitted for free. No re-entry will be allowed with general admission tickets.

No outside food or drinks, dogs, pets, tents, overnight camping, or overnight parking. Lawn Chairs and blankets will be allowed in designated areas.

Free Shuttle Service will be offered on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. between two satellite parking locations and the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center. Parking lots are located at the St. Johns County Health Department, 200 San Sebastian View, and at the North San Marco Lot, 301 San Marco Ave.

The shuttle buses, funded by Rotary Club’s Rhythm & Ribs Festival, will run in a loop between the parking lots and the VIC, located at 10 S. Castillo Dr., adjacent to the Historic Downtown Parking Facility.

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