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Rock, Rib and Ride fest ready with Blue Oyster Cult, Neil McCoy

By Jan Wesner, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, October 10, 2008

Blue Oyster Cult will perform on Oct. 18 at the Rock, Rib and Ride Festival at the Florida State Fairgrounds. 
	[Blue Oyster Cult]

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BRANDON — A slew of events are planned for next week's first-ever Rock, Rib and Ride Festival at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

The festival, a fundraiser for the Greater Brandon Community Foundation, kicks off Thursday and runs through Oct. 19.

Organizers expect more than 80,000 people for the inaugural event, which will include traditional fair food, midway rides, games and vendors.

The fairground's Cracker Country will be open for visitors and there's also entertainment, including concerts by country singer Neil McCoy and rock band Blue Oyster Cult.

"The stage is going to be hopping all four days," said Diana Niles, executive director of the foundation.

McCoy sings at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 and Blue Oyster Cult takes the stage at 8 p.m. Oct. 18.

The concerts are free with admission to the festival, which is $8 for adults and children under 12, $5 for children ages 3 to 11 and free for those 2 and younger. Students get in free during the festival's first two days.

Parking is $5 per car or $10 for a recreation vehicle or bus.

Besides the midway and concert events, several extra events are also planned, including a food and wine gala, motorcycle poker run and fashion show.

The Listen to Your Heart celebrity fashion show and luncheon runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18. Tickets are $100 per person. The Southern Charm Wine and Food Gala is at 6 p.m. that same evening, featuring local chefs and fine wines. Tickets are $75 per person or $125 per couple.

The poker run is also Saturday.

The Greater Brandon Community Foundation supports local nonprofit groups and charities. The foundation has awarded some $600,000 in grants since it started in 2003, Niles said.

Grant applications are due Nov. 1, and Niles said this year is especially demanding.

"There are charities out there that are in dire need," she said.

Niles said the idea for the festival was in the works for years. The schedule originally included a rib tasting and women's business expo, but those were canceled.

Several businesses and organizations helped make the event possible, according to Niles.

She said most of the entertainers are performing for free, and a local camper business donated recreational vehicles for them to stay in. Several restaurants also donated food.

Festival hours are from 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18 and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 19. Cracker Country is open until 7 p.m. all four days. For tickets and information call the Greater Brandon Community Foundation at 689-6889 or purchase tickets and view the schedule online at www.rockribandride festival.org.