Wichita Ribfest starts Thursday

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May 12, 2012|By Dave Roberts | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — Ribfest starts this Thursday and runs through Saturday. The three-day festival takes place in Lot D, the City-managed parking lot located at 777 E. Waterman.

Wichita Ribfest will showcase six national rib vendors, as well as a stage featuring local and regional musical acts.Most meals are under $10, but each vendor sets their own pricing. Event admission is $4 per person, with children 12 and under admitted for free.

Hours for the event are 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Courtesy of Go Wichita, admission will be half-price from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Guests wearing a 2012 Riverfest button receive free admission.

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It took Dustin Blankman about ten years to perfect his ribs recipe.

"What you're looking for is that smoke ring right there, and you get a good look at that smoke ring," he explained.

He thinks he found the secret to making the perfect set of ribs.

"The secrets in the rub and what kind of smoke you got."

He's entered his ribs in various competitions around the Midwest, winning a couple of them.

But ribs fans aren't going to be able to taste Dustin's recipe at next week's Ribfest at the INTRUST Bank Arena, because organizers say Ribfest is only for national vendors.

According to INTRUST Bank Arena, the cooks at Ribfest tour the country throughout the year using industrial sized ovens and cook enough meat for a stadium full of people. Organizers added, even though this festival has a People's Choice award, it's really not a competition, it's more of a show.

"When you're bringing in the national rib vendors it's a great opportunity for the small people like me to get out there and maybe win a people's choice award with local people involved."

Reporter VideoLocal cooks not allowed to compete in RibfestVideo;

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