The Big Rib BBQ & Blues Fest is set to take over the Highland Park Festival Site | Arts & Culture

The famous Frederick Law Olmsted designed Highland Park in Rochester, NY will frame the backdrop for the biggest-and tastiest Rib Festival in Upstate New York. For four BIG days, July 12 through July 15, 2012, barbecue fans will once again have an opportunity to sample wildly different versions of items they might have thought were always made the same. Whether it’s a saucy Kansas City style rib, a Memphis dry rub or the big flavor from deep in the heart of Texas - this festival proves that no two barbeque flavors are created equal. Serving every day from 11:30am through 10:00pm (9:00pm on Sunday), the 2012 Festival will feature the secret recipes and unique preparation styles of five nationally renowned Rib Masters –Porky ‘N’ Beans, Willingham’s World Champion Bar-B-Que, Texas Pit BBQ, Gator BBQ and Unkl Moe's BBQ.

Alongside the fantastic food is a musical lineup that pays homage to the impact of blues on American music.

“The Blues are not only the most American of art forms, but the fundamental inspiration for some of the most important artists of our generation,” Artistic Director and Festival Producer Jeff Springut said. “Stylistically, this year’s lineup represents all the various flavors of the Blues, from the Texas guitar and harp driven Blues of Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds to the Kansas City boogie woogie sounds of Kelley Hunt, to gritty Chicago Blues with Shemekia Copeland. We’re planning a fifth anniversary celebration that samples every genre of Blues music.”

The full four day line-up features a roster of nationally and internationally recognized artists including: The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson (7/14) Shemekia Copeland (7/13) Carolyn Wonderland (7/13) Kelley Hunt (7/13) Ana Popovic (7/12) Dark Star Orchestra (7/15) Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra (7/13), Joe Louis Walker (7/14), Joe Beard and the Blues Union (7/14), JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound (7/12 and 7/14), The Voices of Clouds (7/15), Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds (7/12), JD McPherson (7/15),  Oli Brown Band (7/15), John Cole Blues Band (7/15), Steve Grills and the Roadmasters (7/14), Funky Blu Roots (7/12), Fred Vine (7/14) and The Deborah Magone Band (7/15). Click here to learn more about the bands and watch videos.

Hours for the Big Rib BBQ & Blues Fest are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 12-14 11:30am to 10:00pm, and Sunday, July 15, 11:30am to 9:00pm.  Admission is free everyday from 11:30am through 3:00pm; $5 after 3:00pm on Thursday and $10 after 3:00pm Friday through Sunday. Kids 12 and under are always free. The Use It. Abuse It. 4-Day Festival Pass is transferrable and provides unlimited access for the four days of the festival at a special price of just $25. Advance admission tickets are on sale now at the House of Guitars, Record Archive and The Bop Shop; online at www.RochesterEvents.com or by calling 1-888-512-SHOW. Click here for more festival information.