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Best in the West Rib Cook-Off

Munch Ribs to Your Heart's Content Over Labor Day Weekend

Jun 25, 2008

The Nugget hosts the Rib Cook-Off every year, so head out to Sparks, Nevada for a true taste of a major rib cook-off, and enjoy some great entertainment, too.

An enduring Labor Day tradition, the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off is one of the premier food events in Reno and Sparks. This year's event (the 20th annual) happens Wednesday, August 27 through Monday, September 1, 2008, with the champion rib-cooker crowned on Monday afternoon. There's a People's Choice Award, plus prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd , 4th and 5th place in ribs, plus the best sauce. Best of all, the event is free, you only pay for samples of ribs if you desire.

The Food

If you've never visited the rib cook-off, you're in for a real treat. Twenty-four different cookers will compete for top honors, and some of these cookers have won some very prestigious barbecue events, including Famous Dave's BBQ, the 2007 and 2006 winner of the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off. Teams will travel from as far away as Minnesota and New Jersey to participate. You can buy samples of ribs from the different cookers, so bring your appetite to the cook-off.

There's also a Rib Eating Championship on Wednesday, August 27 at 6:00pm, which includes some of the most famous championship eating contestants in the country. Well-known Joey Chestnut won the event last year.

Location

The Cook-Off takes place in Victorian Square in front of John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks, on Victorian Avenue between 14th Street and Pyramid Way. You can park in the parking garage near Victorian Square, or you can take the free shuttle leaving approximately every half-hour from:

· ReedHigh School, 1350 Baring Blvd, Sparks, NV

· WoosterHigh School, 1331 E Plumb Ln, Reno, NV

These free shuttles will run from 5:00–10:30pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 11:00am–10:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttles will pick-up and drop-off on the corner of Nugget Avenue and 11th Street. You can park your car at either of the high schools, which is a good idea because parking is tight in the Cook-Off area.

Entertainment

Another great thing about the Rib-Cook-Off is the free entertainment. Bands The Radiators, The Blasters, Bucky Covington, Night Ranger, and Joe Bonamassa will play six different stages throughout the event. Most of the stages are located outdoors, with limited seating. You can visit the Entertainment Website for a complete schedule of entertainment events.

Hours

All food booths will be open from 11:00am–9:00pm, Wednesday–Sunday and from 11:00am–5:00pm on Monday. Food and concessions will be available during event hours only. Craft booths will be open during the event hours, as well, and there will be over 200 booths offering handcrafted items during the event.

Weather

Labor Day weekend can be hot in Reno and Sparks (over 90 degrees), but the evenings can cool off as much as 40 to 50 degrees, so bring a jacket. You might see an occasional afternoon thundershower, as well. The even can be crowded, so bring your patience along with a jacket!

The copyright of the article Best in the West Rib Cook-Off in Nevada Travel is owned by Sherril Steele-Carlin. Permission to republish Best in the West Rib Cook-Off in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.