Jazz & Rib Fest

Arrived about 1 hour til close but was worth it even though the lines were still long we were able to get food and sit and watch 2 mins of the last Latin performance lol unfortunately about 2 fights broke out but everyone seemed to be okay and enjoying their time! Will be attending next year!

Recently visited the Jazz and Rib fest and the food and music was great! This yearly event is definitely worth going to! They have the best ribs to choose from but also delicious corn on the cob, fresh lemonade funnel cakes and more!

About the only good thing about this is the music and the people watching.We can't come here early in the day due to other obligations. So it's either Friday or Saturday evening for us. We came on Saturday at around 7:30.It's not like it's super crowded but the lines for everything are way too long. I'm guessing about 50 to 100 people in line at every food stand. Lines wrapping around so it can be tough to see where they end.So once again none of us got food. We sat near the West Bank stage where there were very few spots available with shade. We found a spot but couldn't see the stage. Better that than sitting in the sun I guess.I waited in line for about 20 minutes to get drinks. After we finished those we went to a restaurant to eat.Now I know why we haven't come to this event in years. If you can't make it early in the day when there are fewer people you'll wait in line maybe an hour (or more) for food. I don't know what they can do about it but it's not an enjoyable experience smelling the ribs cooking and being expected to stand in line so long to buy them. If you're hungry and it's the evening don't bother coming to this. I don't know I could give this more than 1 star when it's nearly impossible to get any food.Columbus badly needs another rib festival, cook off, whatever. Something where attendees can actually eat ribs.

Literally over an hour wait at every food stall. Slowest food I've ever had to wait for. Costs just as much as a restaurant so I'd say not worth it.

Unlike Indy's Jazz fest, Columbus, Ohio's is FREE! Free 99. No cost. The only thing that will cost you is parking, food and beverages, if you don't bring your own food and drinks. You are encouraged to support local food vendors and dragging food with our party was something I just wasn't feeling this summer. We did take water and ice because it was decently toasty each day we went to the Fest.Do you want Ribs? Oh, they are in abundance but know you may have a long wait, so plan ahead on who you will have to get the food while someone secures an area to sit. Bring chairs, little tables, and blankets if you do not want to try to vie for a seat on one of the few sparingly available benches. I recommend downloading the Jazz & Rib Fest official app to plan who you want to see as there are 3 stages with musical acts happening all day long until at least 9 pm at night. I do not recommend trying to pay for parking in advance in the app because I found that it did not work and I was still charged. Had to file a dispute against ParkMobile about that which was a pain to do. The fest is a nice event to hang with friends for an evening in downtown Columbus so I definitely recommend going. If you are still on the fence about being around large crowds due to COVID-19, know that this event was packed at the stage that drew the big acts so you may want to check out the smaller stage acts.

Great music fun atmosphere for friends and families. Oh did I mention ribs, ribs and more ribs

I've been to this festival for several years and usually enjoy it. As of late, however, it's getting super crowded and you wait in long lines for food that can be meh. It's hard to decide which truck to visit and don't be swayed by the trophies displayed. Prices are high and crowd management can be better. We may skip next year. Food truck festival is better IMO.

Jesse "JT Jazz" Thompson and his band had another amazing outstanding performance on Saturday! Each year, we look forward to going to the festival, having some great food and listening to his group perform.

Is the rib jazz festival a r and b festival the lack of current jazz artists is dwindling and definitely none existent in 2024 I have been attending since it was a 2 day event at the old central high school. Me and large group of friends spend money for jazz not washed up r and b the city of Columbus should turn the event back over to the arena district. Columbus is better than this!

after waiting in line and getting soaked from the rain storm they tell us they don't have any ribs ..will never go back.. worst place ever .. why didn't they tell everyone they were out before waiting and getting soaked..