“It’s cold, but it’s nice here,” said Antonio Rinaldi, owner of Smokin’ Joe’s Hog Wild BBQ.

Rinaldi was adamant that “there’s not a bad bone in this house,” meaning that he respects all the vendors supplying ribs at Celoron’s RibFest. Like the rest of the rib-vendors, he just hopes that his are the best.

This vendor from Olive Hill, Kentucky goes to a new festival every week and enjoys making people smile here in Celoron, Rinaldi noting people come back if they have happy bellies.

“Everywhere we go we meet new people,” Rinaldi said.

The annual RibFest continues today through Saturday. The Classic Car Show will be featured Saturday from noon-4 p.m. The festival also includes live bands, booths, bounce houses and a fireworks display. P-J photo by Eric Zavinski

My Happy Place Smokehouse has been in the business of preparing ribs for more than 20 years and has participated in Celoron’s RibFest since at least 2010.

Proprietor Tim Kotesovec mentioned that lots of vendors actually buy the same base rib meat; what makes each vendor’s ribs special are the smoking techniques, flavorings and sauces that each vendor uses.

“I like watching people,” Kotesovec said.

My Happy Place offers a homemade sauce for ribs and sides including coleslaw, beans and a secret recipe for corn muffins for just a couple extra dollars to make it a meal.

“We’ve done really good here,” said Steve Schroer, cook at After Hours BBQ which has been participating at Celoron’s RibFest for the past three years and in the general business for six years.

A cook at Smokin’ Joe’s Hog Wild BBQ prepares chicken during the first night of the Celoron Rib-Fest on Wednesday evening at the Lucille Ball Memorial Park. P-J photo by Eric Zavinski

From Orrville, Ohio, After Hours BBQ is run by Steve’s son Alan and experiences different menu items selling better in different places. Cowboy beans, a mix of five different bean types, is a particular hit in Celoron.

“People are here for the ribs,” Schroer said. “Friday and Saturday are the good nights. Every week’s a different challenge.”

Pigfoot BBQ allows customers to take the RibFest experience home with them as they sell their sauces and seasonings. Owner Kevin Gift is proud of previously winning the best ribs and sauce awards in Celoron. They have also took home the Columbus Firefighters Choice for Best Ribs award at the Jazz and RibFest in 2013.

“I’ve been serving food for 48 years, and I wanted to try something different,” said Gift, who has been in the rib business for about 12 years.

“We all have good food, and hopefully this year we’re the best,” Gift said.

Sgt. Oink’s BBQ Co. cook Lillyan Jones said “the experience of being with the people” is her favorite thing about Rib-Fest. From Tiffin, Ohio, she said they traveled far and wide to be here in Celoron.

Nacho pies, nacho chip clusters with cheese, pulled pork and sour cream, are a specialty of Sgt. Oink’s, and people have been coming back for their ribs in many festivals for 27 years.

The Celoron Rib-Fest, lasting through June 9, is not just about the rib vendors. What’s Poppin’ New York is facilitated by a Busti husband and wife specializing in original kettle corn with 15 flavors ranging from snickerdoodle and orange creamsicle to dill and parmesan cheese.

In their second year participating in Rib-Fest, Richard and Pamela Ribbing offer free samples to visitors.

“Last year, we did really well,” Richard said.

The RibFest is active from 3-10 p.m. today, 3-11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Other features include live bands, booths, bounce houses for children and a fireworks display presented at 10 p.m. Saturday courtesy of Pyrotecnico. A Classic Car Show will be featured from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday as well.