The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department's Office of Special Events offers a diverse range of events and experiences in downtown Columbus. The Jazz & Rib Fest, now in its 38th year, is our flagship event.

This highly anticipated summertime tradition offers both jazz and rib connoisseurs the finest in music and barbeque. With the addition of 33 acres of parkland along the Scioto Mile, the newly revitalized downtown riverfront provides the perfect location for hot ribs and cool jazz. The festival offers three days of continuous jazz while barbeque pit masters serve up sizzling ribs, chicken and more!

Festival Hours:Friday and Saturday,

11 a.m. – 11 p.m.Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The event is held in Columbus, Ohio along the downtown riverfront.

With demographics that mirror national numbers, Columbus is considered the ideal test city for brand marketing and sampling products and services.

300,000 average annual attendance

3 days of continuous live music on 3 stages

23 rib teams

Admission is FREE!

22 2321

When Where What

We are proud to offer a variety of jazz music genres including Latin, straight-ahead, fusion, smooth, New Orleans and more!

Past Headliners include: Doc Severinsen Tower of Power David Sanborn Eddie Palmieri Brian Culbertson Mindi Abair Terence Blanchard Boney James Arturo Sandoval Preservation Hall Jazz Band Christian McBride Galactic Ramsey Lewis Dave Koz Norman Brown Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Diane Reeves The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Diane Schuur

Attendees savor the best ribs from around the country as award-winning barbeque teams compete for “Best Ribs” bragging rights.

Jazz & Rib Fest presents awards in six different categories selected by two distinguished panels of judges.

Awards The Critics’ Choice Award

All-Ohio Champion Award

Best Sauce Award

The Big Whigs’ Award

People’s Choice Award

Silver Axe Award presented by the

Columbus Division of Fire

The Jazz & Rib Fest is proud to partner with The Color Run – the ‘Happiest 5K on the Planet!’ This one-of-a-kind event is less about speed and more about enjoying a color-crazy day with friends and family. Color Run participants and spectators are ready to experience Jazz & Rib Fest after crossing the finish line.

We are honored to work alongside sponsors that help us make Jazz & Rib Fest great year after year!

Located in the heart of the United States, Columbus, Ohio is the perfect destination for your mobile tour. Take a look at some of the brands that have joined us over the years…

est. 2007

Jazz & Rib Fest sponsors and partners receive unparalleled brand exposure and opportunities for consumer interaction and messaging, product demonstration and sampling, lead generation and more. Customized packages are available for your brand or mobile tour including the following opportunities:

Title Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

Stage Sponsor

Beverage Sponsor

Rib Judging Sponsor

Media Sponsor

In-Kind Sponsor

Relaxation Station Sponsor

Sampling and Product Distribution

Mobile Tour Stop

Become a Jazz & Rib Fest event partner and receive unparalleled exposure with an array of demographics while supporting one of the largest free events in central Ohio!

Contact:Karen Wiser, Festival Director(614) 645-6449klwiser@columbus.gov

Website:www.HotRibsCoolJazz.org

@JazzAndRibFest @TheSciotoMile