Rib fest features classics

Admission prices have been rolled back to what they were a decade ago.
By GUY DASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
NILES -- The Mahoning Valley Rib Burn Off, the annual rite of summer that turns a parking lot into a pork paradise, is upon us.
Up to 50,000 folks will turn out over the four-day run of the Eastwood Mall event.
As always, live music will cut through the smoky sweet smog over the Strip. What's different this year is the fact that the four headliners are classic rock tribute bands who pride themselves on authenticity. They look, sound and act like the real thing.
Dominic Baragona, who stages the Burn Off, got the idea at a music showcase event in Las Vegas where Draw the Line, an Aersomith knock-off, was playing.
"It was unbelievable. I mean the lead singer looked more like Steven Tyler than Steven Tyler himself," said Baragona, a longtime event promoter with a keen sense of what works and what doesn't work in the Mahoning Valley.
Other bands scheduled are Paradise City (Guns N' Roses), Bad Medicine (Bon Jovi) and Moonlight Drive (The Doors). The Flow Band will also do a tribute to reggae legend Bob Marley.
These bands are the cream of the imitation crop, and have been playing at House of Blues locations across the country, Baragona said.
Ribs
While bands are one thing, ribs are another. There simply is no substitute.
To that end, Baragona has pulled pork chefs from pig-loving places such as South Carolina and Texas for the Burn Off. A number of local rib restaurants will also be represented.
A ride and game midway will also return, with free rides for everyone between noon and 2 p.m. Sunday. A fireworks display is scheduled for 10 p.m. Sunday.
As a bonus this year, Baragona rolled back admission prices to what they were 10 years ago. Admission is free every day until 5 p.m., and $3 on Thursday, $5 on Friday and Sunday, and $6 on Saturday. Children under 12 are always free. Coupons for $1 off the admission price are available at area Sheetz stores.
Baragona pointed out that tickets to the tribute bands' concerts usually range from $15 to $20. The sheer number of Burn Off-goers allows him to keep the admission price so low.