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BBQ Fest Goes Bust
An Idaho barbecue fest expecting 100,000 fans was more of a bust when only an estimated 11,000 turned out to the four-day event in Nampa, Idaho, after an 11th-hour venue change.
The attendance shortfall is being blamed for bouncing checks to vendors and musicians. The June 27-30 Northwest RibFest previously took place at a city park until the city withdrew support and denied a special-use permit to event organizers 16 days out.
RibFest i.
The Snake River regional Better Business Bureau received 10 complaints from vendors and others about organizers Kasey Thompson and Randal Nelson and two promotional agencies, local BBB president Dale Dixon told the Idaho Statesman.
It’s not clear how organizers could have delivered on the promise of 100,000 patrons to vendors on the competitive barbecue circuit. Last year’s event at local Kleiner Park drew between 40,000 to 50,000.
And with the Idaho Center Amphitheatre capacity of 11,000, the move would not have doubled attendance. Organizers reportedly failed to file all necessary permits or include mandatory plans for parking and public safety, forcing the city council to deny the special use permit and the event to be moved. Musicians at this year’s RibFest included Ty Herndon,
The attendance shortfall is being blamed for bouncing checks to vendors and musicians. The June 27-30 Northwest RibFest previously took place at a city park until the city withdrew support and denied a special-use permit to event organizers 16 days out.
RibFest i and tribute bands.