Blue Oyster Cult, Donnie Iris will heat things up at burn-off

the vindicator

NILES — Don’t fear the rib-eater. Blue Oyster Cult doesn’t.

The Mahoning Valley Rib Burn-Off returns today, bringing the classic rockers with it.

The Burn-Off, which sets up in the front parking lot of Eastwood Mall, is a summer tradition in these parts, an All-American mash-up of rock music and savory ribs, wrapped in a carnival atmosphere that turns into a giant outdoor party every night when the music starts.

Blue Oyster Cult — whose hits include “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ for You” — is hot stuff on the festival circuit. The band plays at 10 p.m. Saturday. The last time BOC played the Mahoning Valley, it was on the other side of Eastwood Mall, when the band headlined a July 2006 concert at Eastwood Stadium.

Also on the schedule is Donnie Iris, the Pittsburgh rocker who has yet to relinquish his King Cool throne. Iris takes the stage at 10 p.m. Friday. He’ll be preceded by another Steel City legend: Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers.

The lineup of rib vendors will also be classic, as national and regional cooks will compete for the Charlie Staples Bar-B-Que Trophy, a sort of Stanley Cup for purveyors of pork and sauce. The first-place winner gets a $1,000 bonus.

Many new competitors will appear at this year’s Burn-Off, including Big Boned Bar-B-Que of Malat, Ill.; Two Fat Guys BBQ, Massillon; PiggyBack Shack, Hubbard; Mojo’s, West Salem; and Sgt. Oinks of St. Louis.

Rounding out the cookers will be Texas Pit Bar-B-Que of Magnolia, Texas; Guy’s BBQ, Newton Falls; and the return of Burn-Off favorites Armadillo’s of Youngstown.