The Pittsburgh Rib Fest Is Coming Back to Heinz Field

It’s never too early to start thinking about the best end-of-summer extravaganza at Heinz Field – the Pittsburgh Rib Fest!

Now in its 27th year, this event will be held over five days, from August 31 to September 4. Entry to the event is free, and all are welcome to stop through and celebrate football, ribs, and live music.

For this event, Heinz Field welcomes rib vendors from across the country.

The 2017 rib vendors for the event include:

• Armadillo’s (Columbus, OH)
• Big Boned Ribs (Ravenel, SC)
• Chicago BBQ Company (Chicago,IL)
• Johnson’s BBQ (Bronx, NY)
• Pigfoot BBQ (Mentor, OH)
• Smokeshack B.B.Q. (San Antonio, TX)
• Smokin’ T’s BBQ (Long Grove, IL)
• Bad Azz BBQ (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Carolina Rib King (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
• Cowboy’s BBQ & Rib Co. (Myrtle Beach, SC)
• Old Carolina Barbecue Company (Canton, OH)
• Rib-Bins BBQ (Chambersburg, PA)
• Smokin Joe’s Ribs (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Texas Pit Barbecue (Saginaw, TX)

The 2017 lineup of events is as follows

• Thursday, August 31: Thursday Night Fights with USA Boxing
• Friday, September 1: The Clarks (9 p.m.), with special guest Bastard Bearded Irishmen (7:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, September 2: Pitt Panthers’ football home-opener vs. Youngstown State. More activities TBA.
• Sunday, September 3: Drake White and the Big Fire (9 p.m.), with special guest Midland (7:30 p.m.)
• Monday, September 4: LOCASH (6 p.m.), with special guest Bindley Hardware Co. (4:30 p.m.)

The festival will run alongside other Heinz Field events. The Pitt Panthers’ football home-opener vs. Youngstown State on will occur on September 2 (tickets required), and the Rib Fest will be open before after the game. On September 4, the 2017 Gatorade/Steelers 5K Race, Fitness Walk and Kid’s Kickoff Run will begin at 8:00 a.m.

Admission is free, but food, beverages and select games and activities are not. Concerts are open to the public, but no coolers or outside food and beverages are welcome. Festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

More information on the festival can be found online.

Heinz Field (100 Art Rooney Avenue)