The Ribs Burnoff returns to Canton. Here's what to know about the 3-day event

CANTON − The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Ribs Burnoff is back after a 10-year hiatus.

The free, three-day event — which began Friday — features six rib vendors and seven specialty food and drink vendors, as well as various activities and a lineup of live music.

The Memorial Day weekend fest concludes Sunday with a fireworks show starting at 9:15 p.m.

Rich Desrosiers, spokesman for the Hall of Fame, said the event brings back a local favorite tradition and commemorates Memorial Day.

"Part of this weekend will include some moments of silence for servicemen and women who have sacrificed for the country," he said. "We want to celebrate, we want to have a good time and kick off summer, but we are also being mindful of what this weekend is really about."

The Hall of Fame will be donating $1 for every alcoholic beverage sold at the event to Wreaths Across America , an organization that decorates the graves of service members across the county.

Event parking at the Hall of Fame Village is $10. The Hall of Fame is located at 2121 George Halas Drive NW in Canton.

Here are five things to know about the event's return.

1. Ribs Burnoff brings long-awaited return of a local tradition

Desrosiers said the community was eager to bring back the Ribs Burnoff after 10 years.

"People have been waiting for something like this to come back for a while," he said. "It isn't going to be quite the same experience that it was downtown or out at the fairgrounds, but it's a first ... and we wanted to bring it back."

This year's burnoff is the first time it is located at the Hall of Fame and the first time it is held over Memorial Day weekend.

Desrosiers said this year will be a chance to get the tradition started again.

2. Rib vendors will compete for three different prizes

On Day 1 of the burnoff, the six rib vendors served up their ribs to the first round of judges, who are the seven members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

The winner of Friday's judging was to be crowned the Hall of Famer Choice Award.

On Day 2, a new panel of judges will present two separate awards for Best Rib and Best Sauce.

There is a cash prize for each of the three competitions.

The competing rib vendors are:

• Armadillo's BBQ
• Cowboys Barbecue & Rib Co.
• Off the Bone BBQ
• Old Carolina BBQ
• Uncle Bacon's BBQ
• Winking Lizard Tavern

3. Ribs Burnoff to include three days of live music

Live music will be played on the Roto-Rooter Music Stage on the mini turf field.

Trailer Park Ninjas and Disco Inferno were to play Friday.

On Saturday, Buck Naked Band will take the stage from 5 to 7 p.m. E5C4P3 Band will perform from 8 to 10 p.m.

On the final day, New Wave Nation will close out the weekend with music from 7 to 9:15 p.m.

DJ Krooze will play music starting at 11 a.m. all three days of the event. The DJ will be located near the rib and specialty vendors.

4. Welcome Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024

This ticketed event is an opportunity to meet with members of the Class of 2024.

Tickets for the meet-and-greet are $100. The ticket includes light refreshments with cash bar and a commemorative item.

2024 Hall of Fame Class: Randy Gradishar, Julius Peppers, 5 others in Hall of Fame class; Antonio Gates snubbed

5. Bull rides, ax throwing and specialty vendors

Ax throwing and bull riding will be available at the event for an additional cost.

It is $5 for five ax throws and $5 for a bull ride.

More: Looking for fun? Hall of Fame Ribs Burnoff, Hartville flea market, 'Beauty and the Beast'

There will also be seven specialty vendors at the event, offering carnival-style food and beverages such as lemonade and Dippin' Dots.

The specialty vendors are:

• Destefano's
• John's Gyro Kind
• Kissel Amusement Co.
• Kissel Foods
• Lil' John Concessions
• Mr. Fun's Concessions − Dippin' Dots
• SMOOSH Cookies

The Hall of Fame Rib Burnoff schedule of events

Here's the schedule of events for the Rib Burnoff:

Friday

• 9:30 a.m.: Class of 2024 banner unveiling
• 11 a.m.: Ribs Burnoff begins
• 11 a.m. to noon: Meet & Greet with the Class of 2024 (ticketed event)
• 11 a.m.: DJ Krooze begins
• 2 p.m.: Ax throwing and bull riding available
• 5 to 7 p.m.: Trailer Park Ninjas performs
• 8 to 10 p.m.: Disco Inferno performs
• 10 p.m.: Beer sales end
• 10 p.m.: Ribs Burnoff ends

Saturday

• 11 a.m.: Ribs Burnoff begins
• 11 a.m.: DJ Krooze begins
• 2 p.m.: Ax throwing and bull riding available
• 5 to 7 p.m.: Buck Naked Band performs
• 8 to 10 p.m.: E5C4P3 Band performs
• 10 p.m.: Beer sales end
• 10 p.m.: Ribs Burnoff ends

Sunday

• 11 a.m.: Ribs Burnoff begins
• 11 a.m.: DJ Krooze begins
• 2 p.m.: Ax throwing and bull riding available
• 7 to 9:15 p.m.: New Wave Nation performs
• 9:15 p.m.: Fireworks Show
• 10 p.m.: Ribs Burnoff ends

Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: The Ribs Burnoff returns to Canton. Here's what to know about the 3-day event