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Caseville Ribstock 2025 marks the 17th year for the annual BBQ cookoff and festival that brings three days of ribs, rhythm, and community celebration to Michigan’s Upper Thumb Coast
CASEVILLE, Mich. — June 8, 2025 — With smoke in the air and music on the breeze, the 17th Annual Caseville Country Ribstock Festival returns June 27–29, 2025, promising a packed weekend of barbecue, live entertainment, outdoor activities, and hometown pride. Centered in Caseville County Park, the event has evolved into a signature fixture on Michigan’s summer festival calendar, drawing thousands to this small lakeshore community.
Organized by the Caseville Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Ribstock features a full lineup including amateur cook-offs, line dancing, a cornhole tournament, moonlight shopping, and live country bands at the amphitheater. Dozens of regional sponsors and local businesses are backing the celebration, signaling strong community momentum behind the event’s 17th run.
Caseville Ribstock 2025 – Three Days of Food, Music, and Local Flavor
The action begins Friday morning with the 13th Annual Amateur Rib Cook-Off, a crowd favorite that showcases grassroots grilling talent from across the region. Up to 30 contestants will compete at Caseville County Park, with grilling beginning at 9 a.m. Contestants must cook on-site using their own equipment and freshly prepared ingredients, with pork ribs as the sole protein allowed. According to official rules, no pre-cooked meat or bottled sauces are permitted—rubs, marinades, and seasoning must be made on-site.
Judging, which takes place between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., scores entries across appearance, tenderness, and taste, with a cash prize split between the top three finishers. The overall winner will be announced during the Friday night concert at 8:45 p.m. on the main stage.
Caseville Ribstock 2025’s Food, Music, and Fireworks Drive a Three-Day Event Schedule
Friday’s opening festivities also include the “Ribs Under the Tent” event, with rib dinners available for public purchase starting at 5:00 p.m. A full slate of live music follows throughout the weekend at venues including Beachy’s, Thumb Brewery, and the county amphitheater. Performers include Detroit Drive, Family Tradition, Mandi Lost Highway, and Madison Olivia.
Saturday offers additional attractions like paddleboarding and kiteboarding sessions, a cornhole tournament, and the main Rib Cook-Off for professional and semi-professional competitors. Thousands of ribs will be judged by both a panel and the public, with winners revealed at 8:45 p.m. during the amphitheater show.
On Sunday, activities conclude with more water sports, Nick Thomasma at Thumb Brewery, and the final public rib dinners—a fundraiser supporting Caseville’s Independence Day Fireworks.
Community Businesses Fuel Ribstock’s Return in 2025
Dozens of sponsors have stepped forward to support this year’s festival, underlining Ribstock’s value to the community and its economic ripple effect on Caseville’s seasonal tourism. The roster includes:
- Local services: Caseville Family Market, DJ’s Portable Toilets, Scheurer Family Pharmacy, Independent Bank
- Hospitality and food: Dinner Bell, Walt’s Restaurant, Rainbow Motel, Fox’s Lodge at Oak Pointe
- Local entertainment and retail: Horn’s Main Street Party Store, LuLu B’s Boutique, Thumbs Up Kiteboarding
Sponsorships also come from long-standing community names like Caseville Hardware, Beadle Bay Marina & Campground, and Paradigm Accounting, reinforcing the festival’s grounding in small-town support rather than outside promotion.
With events stretching from the beach to Main Street and beyond, Ribstock also supports area tourism, lodging, and retail. Local shops will host Moonlight Shopping until 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and visitors are encouraged to explore downtown, beach areas, and Caseville’s historic harbor district throughout the weekend.
Local Chamber Sees Ribstock as Economic Engine for Caseville
The Caseville Area Chamber of Commerce has long touted Ribstock as more than a party—it’s an unofficial kick-off of the Upper Thumb’s festival season. Caseville’s year-round population of around 700 swells in the summer with visitors staying at nearby campgrounds, motels, and vacation homes. Events like Ribstock are designed to draw foot traffic into local shops and restaurants while also giving residents a sense of pride in the town’s hospitality.
As the festival enters its 17th year, it also reflects a broader trend across small-town Michigan: investing in community-led tourism that celebrates local identity while boosting economic stability.
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