Ridgefield Gone Country BBQ Festival at Lounsbury House is April 30-May 1

Ridgefield BBQ Festival Features Barbecue Competition

The Ridgefield Gone Country BBQ Festival returns April 30th and May 1st to the grounds of historic Lounsbury House with great food, live music, and carnival rides for the entire family. Now in its third year, the 2016 Festival will be the site of cooking competitions between more than 40 master BBQ teams from across the region.

“This year’s festival is the biggest yet,” says Dr. Cliff Heidinger of the Rotary Club of Ridgefield, whose members, together with the staff at Lounsbury House, organize the annual event. “We’ve got teams coming in from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New York and Connecticut – and certified BBQ judges from as far away as Scotland.”

The competitions, sanctioned by the renowned Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) and the New England Barbecue Society (NEBS), will span the two days of the Festival. Teams will be compete for a guaranteed $8,500 in prize money during the contest, named an official Connecticut State Barbecue Championship by Governor Malloy.

Competing in their first cooking contest will be a hometown team, Rub My Butt, consisting of Ridgefield residents Rich Conway, Brad Kiefaber, Jason Mosiello, Eric Rubbo, Todd Shoenherr and teammate, Randy Sapoff.

During the Festival, local musicians from throughout Fairfield County will perform on the outdoor stage, playing everything from rock and country, to jazz and funk. Families will stroll the grounds of Lounsbury House while enjoying food vendors and exciting carnival rides. In addition, the Ridgefield Gone Country BBQ Festival will be the second stop on the 2016 Great American Cookout Tour. The tour, now in its tenth year, stops at festivals across the United States to share free samples with attendees.

Pamby Motors and HamletHub are two of several sponsors for the 2016 event, which benefits the nonprofit Rotary Club of Ridgefield and the Lounsbury House. Funds raised from the Festival will support the Rotary’s work for both local and national causes, veteran’s welfare, and yearly scholarships to Ridgefield High School students. The Lounsbury House will use funds raised for outside building maintenance and to add an elevator to the historic building, making it accessible for all.

"This is our third year sponsoring the BBQ Festival," says Fred Pambianchi of Pamby Motors. "It's our way of thanking the community for supporting us for so many years. What better way to do it than with great food, good music, and carnival rides?"

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children under 12 years old. For a more information visit www.RidgefieldBBQCT.com.

The Ridgefield Gone Country BBQ Festival is a collaboration between the Ridgefield Rotary Club and Lounsbury House. The event will be held from 11am-9pm on Saturday, April 30, and from 11am-5pm on Sunday, May 1st at Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street, Ridgefield.