Jazz & Rib Fest is produced by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department | www.HotRibsCoolJazz.org

2. The Columbus Recreation and Parks Office of
Special Events offers a diverse range of events and
experiences in downtown Columbus. The Jazz &
Rib Fest, now in its 36th
year, is our flagship event.
This highly anticipated summertime tradition
offers both jazz and rib connoisseurs the finest
in music and barbeque. Situated in the premier
entertainment destination of Columbus, the
Arena District and downtown riverfront provide
the perfect location for hot ribs and cool jazz.
The festival offers three days of continuous jazz
while barbeque pit masters serve up sizzling ribs,
chicken and more!
Event Overview

3. Festival Hours:
Friday and Saturday,
11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Event Overview
18 1917
When
The event is held
in downtown
Columbus, Ohio
along the Arena
District riverfront.
With demographics that mirror
national numbers, Columbus is
considered the ideal ‘test city’ for
marketing new products across
the country.
WHERE What
 350,000+ attendees each year
 50+ Jazz artists
 20+ Rib teams
 3 Stages
 Admission is FREE!

4. Festival By the Numbers
Female
57%
Male
43%
$100,000
or more
13%
Less than
$25,000
15%
$25,000 to
$49,999
25%
$50,000 to
$74,999
26%
$75,000 to
$99,999
21%
IncomeGENDER
35-44
25-34
29%
9%
1-18
5%
16%
21%20%
45-54
55+
19-24
AGE
Caucasian 72%
African American 21%
Hispanic/Latino 1%
Native American 2%
Asian 2%
Other 2%
ETHNICIT Y
98% of visitors surveyed plan to attend the 2015 festival
7,692,907
viewers reached
via 170 television
news segments on
ABC, FOX, CBS
and NBC affiliates
SOURCE:
Nielson Media Research, Inc.
1,370
TV promos
with sponsor
recognition aired
on ABC 6, FOX
28, The CW and
MyNetworkTV
194
radio promos with
sponsorrecognition
on Sunny 95 (94.7
FM), Rewind 103.5
/ 104.3 FM and Mix
107.9 FM
10,000
full-color festival
guides featuring
sponsor activity
descriptions and
logo recognition

5. Three stages offer different listening experiences
for everyone from the jazz aficionado to the BBQ
enthusiast!
The American Electric Power Stage presented
by ABC 6 and the North Bank Park Stage
presented by FOX 28, anchor the event with
performances featuring the finest regional and
international jazz artists.
The Jazz Café at North Bank Pavilion showcases
local artists on an intimate riverfront stage set
against the city skyline.
Cool Jazz

6. We are proud to offer a variety of jazz music
genres including Latin, straight-ahead, fusion,
smooth, New Orleans and more!
PAST HEADLINERS INCLUDE:
 Brian Culbertson
 Terenace Blanchard
 Boney James
 Arturo Sandoval
 Preservation Hall Jazz Band
 Galatic
 Ramsey Lewis
 Dave Koz
 Norman Brown
 Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
 Diane Reeves
 Spyro Gyro
 David Sanborn
 RnR featuring Rick Braun and Richard Elliot
 Diane Schuur
 The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Cool Jazz

7. Attendees savor the best ribs from around the
country as 23 award-winning barbeque teams
compete for “Best Ribs” bragging rights.
Jazz & Rib Fest presents awards in six different
categories selected by two distinguished panels
of judges.
AWARDS:
 The Critics’ Choice Award
 All-Ohio Champion Award
 Best Sauce Award
 The Big Whigs’ Award
 People’s Choice Award
 Silver Axe Award presented by the
Columbus Division of Fire
Hot Ribs

8. The Jazz & Rib Fest is once again proud to partner
with The Color Run – the ‘Happiest 5K on the
Planet!’ This one-of-a-kind event is less about
speed and more about enjoying a color-crazy day
with friends and family. The 5K runs through
downtown, with the start and finish line at Jazz &
Rib Fest. When more than 13,000 runners pour
into your event, it’s a ‘win’ for everyone!
The Color Run

9. We are honored to work alongside sponsors that
help us make Jazz & Rib Fest great year after year!
Sponsors

10. Located in the heart of the United States, Columbus, Ohio is the perfect destination for your mobile tour.
Take a look at some of the brands that have joined us over the years…
PAST MOBILE TOURS

11. Jazz & Rib Fest garners coverage from
media outlets in TV, radio, print and online
publications. Our event routinely receives nearly
3,000,000 media impressions each year.
Media Coverage

12. Jazz & Rib Fest sponsors receive unparalleled exposure to event attendees and opportunities for sampling,
product distribution, data collection and more. Customized sponsorship opportunities are available at all levels
for your brand or mobile tour in the following categories:
 Title sponsor
 Presenting sponsor
 Stage sponsor
 Beverage sponsor
 Rib Judging sponsor
 Media sponsor
 In-Kind sponsor
 Relaxation Station sponsor
 Sampling and Product Distribution
 Mobile Tour stop
Sponsorship Opportunities

13. Become a Jazz & Rib Fest event partner and
receive unparalleled exposure with an array
of demographics while supporting one of the
largest free events in central Ohio!
CONTACT:
Karen Wiser, Festival Director
(614) 645-6449
klwiser@columbus.gov
www.HotRibsCoolJazz.org
Contact Us