Jennie Geisler, Erie Times-News
Updated Fri, May 29, 2026 at 9:34 PM UTC
Outlaw Barbecue Revolution, run by Michael Loveranes, was the Erie representative at the Erie Rib Fest from May 27-30, 2026.
Erie’s Wild Rib Cook-Off & Music Festival has taken over Perry Square through May 30.
Visitors can try some or all the ribs from nine barbecue masters, many of them touring the country’s rib fest circuit, with trophies and accolades listed on their signs. You can vote on your favorite and send one of them with more hardware to pack.
The secret is you can’t go wrong. Some are sweet and sassy, and others are smoked and spicy, but none of them are slouches. That goes double for the Erie representative in the contest this year, Outlaw Barbecue Revolution, run by Michael Loveranes.
There are also dozens of vendors, including arts, crafts, clothing, informational booths and beer, served up by Erie Ale Works, and crisp, ice-cold hard apple cider from Godfrey Run Farm Market.
Musical acts on the main stage added to the festive atmosphere, and food trucks are available to those who don’t do barbecue.
Rib Cook-off competitors showed off their menus and accolades on giant signs in Perry Square.
The four-day Erie Rib Fest ends May 30, opening at 11 a.m. and with awards and drawings at the main stage at 7 p.m. followed by live music from the Riffriders from 7:15 p.m. to the event’s close at 10 p.m.
Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. Find her weekly newsletter at https://profile.goerie.com/newsletters/erielicious/.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Ribs, music fill Perry Square with sweet, smoky, sassy, eats and meats