​Bedford Ribfest Crushes Summer Boredom with Free Admission and Top Local Music

Published: Jul 15, 2026 - 5:02 p.m.

By Cleveland13 Staff

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BEDFORD, Ohio — The Rotary Club of Bedford is celebrating its 100th anniversary of community service by hosting the 44th Annual Ribfest from Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19, on the Historic Downtown Bedford Square. The milestone marks a century since the local organization was founded in 1926 to unite business, professional and community leaders around the international motto of "Service Above Self." This year's anniversary gathering features a lineup of local food vendors, family activities and live music performances designed to bring the community together while supporting local charitable initiatives. Young Cleveland musical artist Labronn Conner Jr., who previously performed at the House of Blues on New Year's Eve to welcome 2026, announced that he and his band will headline the Saturday evening musical lineup. "There's a ton of events, food and activities to get into, and we'll be on stage from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. driving the night home," Conner said. The three-day festival offers free admission and free parking for all attendees throughout the weekend. Festival hours are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Featured food vendors serving the event include Smokin T's, Ms. Sharyn's BBQ, The Ohio BBQ Crew and Porky Chicks. The entertainment schedule opens on Friday night with a performance by the Take Me Back Band from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday events include a Charity Poker Tournament starting at 5 p.m., alongside an appearance by the Euclid Beach Rocket Car from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday concludes the festival weekend with entertainment provided by Tiger Sounds, also known as DJ Tiger. Organizers note that no outside food or drink is permitted at the event. Over the past century, the Bedford Rotary Club has directed its resources toward multiple local programs, including the Bedford City Schools' Safety Town, Shop with a Cop, Southeast Clergy Meals on Wheels, Coats for Kids, the Bedford Recreation Program and the Bedford Historical Society. The organization also provides annual dictionaries to Bedford third-grade students and operates the Bedford Rotary Foundation, which has awarded more than $150,000 in academic scholarships to area students. Physical landmarks and community projects funded by the club include the Railroad Depot deck on Bedford Square, Warren Miller Court at Bedford High School and the public clocks located on Bedford Square and at City Hall. Beyond local projects, the organization participates in global initiatives through Rotary International, supporting the PolioPlus disease eradication program, clean water access, education advancement and environmental protection. Conner extended an invitation to regional music fans as the festival prepares to launch on the historic square. "If you love blues, soul and rock and roll, or even just live music in general, this show is for you!! Come on out!!" Conner said. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.