The Columbus Recreation and Parks Office of Special Events offers a diverse range of events and experiences in downtown Columbus. The Jazz & Rib Fest, now in its 36th year, is our flagship event.

This highly anticipated summertime tradition offers both jazz and rib connoisseurs the finest in music and barbeque. Situated in the premier entertainment destination of Columbus, the Arena District and downtown riverfront provide 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!

EvEnt OvErviEw

Festival Hours:Friday and Saturday,

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

EvEnt OvErviEw

18 1917

When

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

With demographics that mirror national numbers, Columbus is considered the ideal ‘test city’ for marketing new products across the country.

WheRe What

350,000+ attendees each year

50+ Jazz artists

20+ Rib teams

3 Stages

Admission is FREE!

FEstival By thE numBErs

Female57%

Male43%

$100,000 or more

13%

Less than $25,000

15%

$25,000 to $49,999

25%$50,000 to

$74,999 26%

$75,000 to $99,999

21%

IncomeGENDER

35 -

44

25 -

34

29%

9%

1-18

5%

16%

21%20%

45 -

54

55+

19 -

24

AGE

Caucasian 72%

African American 21%

Hispanic/Latino 1%

Native American 2%

Asian 2%

Other 2%

ETHNICITY98% of visitors surveyed plan to attend the 2015 festival

7,692,907 viewers reached via 170 television news segments on ABC, FOX, CBS and NBC affiliatesSOURCE: Nielson Media Research, Inc.

1,370 TV promos with sponsor recognition aired on ABC 6, FOX 28, The CW and MyNetworkTV

194radio promos with sponsor recognition on Sunny 95 (94.7 FM), Rewind 103.5 / 104.3 FM and Mix 107.9 FM

10,000 full-color festival guides featuring sponsor activity descriptions and logo recognition

Three stages offer different listening experiences for everyone from the jazz aficionado to the BBQ enthusiast!

The American Electric Power Stage presented by ABC 6 and the North Bank Park Stage presented by FOX 28, anchor the event with performances featuring the finest regional and international jazz artists.

The Jazz Café at North Bank Pavilion showcases local artists on an intimate riverfront stage set against the city skyline.

COOl Jazz

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

PAST HEADLINERS INCLUDE: Brian Culbertson Terenace Blanchard Boney James Arturo Sandoval Preservation Hall Jazz Band Galatic Ramsey Lewis Dave Koz Norman Brown Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Diane Reeves Spyro Gyro David Sanborn RnR featuring Rick Braun and Richard Elliot Diane Schuur The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

COOl Jazz

Attendees savor the best ribs from around the country as 23 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

hOt riBs

The Jazz & Rib Fest is once again 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. The 5K runs through downtown, with the start and finish line at Jazz & Rib Fest. When more than 13,000 runners pour into your event, it’s a ‘win’ for everyone!

thE COlOr run

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

spOnsOrs

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…

past mOBilE tOurs

Jazz & Rib Fest garners coverage from media outlets in TV, radio, print and online

publications. Our event routinely receives nearly 3,000,000 media impressions each year.

mEdia COvEragE

Jazz & Rib Fest sponsors receive unparalleled exposure to event attendees and opportunities for sampling, product distribution, data collection and more. Customized sponsorship opportunities are available at all levels for your brand or mobile tour in the following categories:

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

spOnsOrship OppOrtunitiEs

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.govwww.HotRibsCoolJazz.org

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