Mixed reviews for rib burn-off

Mahoning Valley Rib Burnoff 2009

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NILES — Vendors at the 25th annual Mahoning Valley Rib Burn Off, which ends its run tonight, complained about the new location, entrance fees, sporadic rain and the economy in general, but the director of special events pronounced himself “ecstatic” over the turnout, the show and the entertainment.

“I think the economy may have actually helped us,” said Tom Sharp of the Cafaro Co., owner of the Eastwood Mall complex. “I think that rather than drive hundreds of miles and pay higher gas prices, people decided to stay close to home and eat or attend one of the shows.”

Sharp did not have attendance figures immediately available but said turnout was “right on schedule” and in line with last year’s attendance of approximately 12,000. Sharp said the highest attendance for the burn-off came in 2003 when the headline attraction, the Charlie Daniels Band, helped draw 20,000.

However, several of the vendors did not share Sharp’s enthusiasm.

“I think it’s the worst it’s ever been in terms of sales,” said Ron Conaway of Magnolia, Texas, operator of Texas Pit Barbeque, last year’s rib burn-off champion. “This has always been one of my better shows but not this time.”

Read the full story in Monday’s Vindicator and on Vindy.com