Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Smoke on the Water Ribs for the Red Cross event! It was a beautiful weekend complete with mouth watering BBQ, great music and ice cold beer. The Presidents of the United States of America showed that 'Toledo Rocks' on Saturday and Chuck Wicks crooned to the crowd on Sunday.

Both attendance and profits were up this year which confirms the community continues to enjoy coming to downtown Toledo for an event. Pictures by Colleen Taylor of TSS Photography will be up soon.

On Saturday, ‘Mark Griesmer’ retained his title for winning the Famous Dave’s Pulled Pork Eating Contest. He managed to eat three pounds of pulled pork in 7 minutes and 20 seconds. ‘Mark’ won a prize pack with Mud Hens tickets, MIS tickets, a TARTA bus pass, a 30 day membership to Urban Active, and a gas grill from Reliance Propane and Fuel Oil.

The winners of the competitions announced on Sunday afternoon included:

Golden Pig

People's Choice

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers! We had over 330 people who absolutely made this year's event a success. Together they worked over 2,000 hours collecting admissions, selling tickets, checking ID’s, serving drinks, helping in the kid’s area and doing security.

On behalf of the Smoke on the Water Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Chapter, thank you for your support of Smoke on the Water Ribs for the Red Cross and the mission of the American Red Cross. Because of you we will be able to help 25 families after they have gone through one of the most traumatic times of their lives. You’re dollars will provide shelter, food, clothing and bedding, health & mental services and enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Smoke on the Water Ribs for the Red Cross 2010 scheduled for July 30 – August 1!

© 2009 THE Ribs for Red Cross Committee