Barbecue lovers got a taste of some of the best ribs in Florida as well as some rockin’ bands at the second annual Rock ‘n’ Ribs on the River held at the Showmen’s Club Event Center this past weekend. It was an all-day festival featuring the barbecue competition, car show, local vendors, kid-friendly activities, and music by Soul Circus Cowboys, Randy McNeeley Band, No Money Down, and EZ and the Man.
Hungry visitors enjoyed food from a host of vendors offering tasty pulled pork sandwiches, pork ribs, chicken and beef brisket, along with homestyle sides, desserts and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
“This has been a big success,” said event organizer Randy Burnett. “And this is just the beginning of a great season of activities here at the Showmen’s Club.”
Rock ‘n’ Ribs on the River raised proceeds that will help fund the Special Needs Children’s Christmas party to be held in December.
The Grand Champion in the competition was Greg Wynn of Hammerhead BBQ; Wynn is a corporal for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department. The Reserve Grand Champion was Wesley Burnett of Buttman BBQ. Other winners included Hammerhead BBQ for chicken; Curley McKenzie of Bamboo Warriors for pork; Buttman BBQ for ribs and sauce; Craig Stinson of River Rats BBQ for brisket; and Ryan Doobie Boyd of Doobie’s Southern Kitchen for desserts.
“These ribs are hands-down the best I’ve ever eaten,” said a fan of Buttman BBQ, who only paused from eating for a moment to add: “They’re so good, they fall right off the bone.”
“It’s been a lot of work, but well worth it,” said Randy Burnett, event coordinator. “We couldn’t have done this without our sponsors from the community.”
Sponsors for the event included Witt Fence, Billy’s Tire & Wheel, Riverview Bail Bonds, N-E-Where Transport Inc., Della Costa and Neville, Dynasty Stucco, Alafia Marine, Harold’s Rentals, All Steel Buildings and Silver Ring Cafe.
Burnett paused from his busy day of coordinating the event to talk about some of the major events coming up at the Showmen’s Club this season. Two of its largest events include the 2016 Gibtown BikeFest, to be held Jan. 14-17, where two Harley Davidson Fat Boy motorcycles will be given away; and the Super Trade Show Extravaganza, set to run Feb. 9-13, which features a large selection of carnival industry products from around the world.
Also on the schedule is the Special Needs Children’s Christmas Party and the Senior Citizen Christmas Dinner, both in December, as well as the Shriner’s Charity Circus to be held on Jan. 9, 2016.
The International Independent Showmen’s Association has been supporting local charities for many years, preferring to do so without a lot of publicity. They have consistently raised money for the Shriners Hospital for Children, hospice groups and the Moffitt Cancer Center, among others.
“People don’t realize how much we do for the community, including kids, veterans and senior citizens,” said Burnett. He described how sometimes people misunderstand the “carnie life,” not realizing all of the charitable work taking place behind the scenes.
“Each year we cook about 150 turkeys and hams to feed the homeless for Thanksgiving,” Burnett said. “We also have Christmas parties for senior citizens who might otherwise spend the holidays alone, and for needy kids and families who might otherwise have no Christmas at all.”
Established in 1966 as a nonprofit organization, the IISA is the largest showmen’s association in the United States. It is home to more than 4,500 members within the outdoor amusement industry, consisting of employees, ride owners, concessionaires, manufacturers and suppliers. For more information about upcoming events, visit www.gibtownshowmensclub.com or call 813-677-3590.