DAVENPORT, Iowa — The music and the BBQ were a draw for thousands of people who attended the annual River Roots Live and Ribfest at LeClaire Park on the Davenport riverfront.
"Well there's a lot of different things to ribs, of course the sauce is huge," said Cherry Skahill, from Bettendorf, Iowa, who attended Ribfest 2016 on Saturday afternoon.
Five vendors from across the United States and one local vendor set up for Ribfest 2016. Carolina Rib King was one of the national vendors.
"[Ribfest] definitely gives us a chance to get our name out there and spread it out throughout the United States," said Jennifer Sargent, who calls herself the 'princess of ribs'. She was behind the grill at Carolina Rib King, from South Carolina.
"Obviously I'm not afraid to sweat. Between the sun and this grill, then we have the smoker right here behind us... intensely hot," said Sargent.
For the first time, admission into Ribfest was free to visitors in 2016. It's a competition for the vendors. This year, first time Ribfest vendor from the Quad Cities, Smokin' Butt BBQ won Best BBQ 2016, Best Pork 2016 and People's Choice 2016.
