Hartford Rib Off Raises Money for A Cause

From Hartford Rib Off: A mouth-watering gathering that started as a friendly backyard barbecue in Hartford's West End has evolved into a thrilling annual competition that will take over Hartford-Brainard Airport on Saturday, June 17, from noon to 6 p.m.

The 8th annual Hartford Rib Off will draw more than a thousand fans to taste and judge enjoy their favorite barbecued ribs, brisket, and chicken, prepared by competing teams of expert pit masters. The event features awards for the best barbecue, craft beers, children's events, helicopter rides and live musical entertainment.
Hartford resident and Rib Off founder Guy Neumann's event has quickly outgrown past venues.

After attracting about 200 people in the first few years, he realized he had the makings of a successful charity undertaking. Moving the party to the Bloomfield Fish & Game Club, he increased the number of teams — with names like Charter Smoke, Hogtied and Mayor Mike's B.B. Crüe stepping forward to bring the heat. Hundreds of attendees came out, and beneficiaries of tens of thousands of dollars in proceeds included the veteran-focused Heroes in Transition and the ALS Association, among others. From the beginning, every single penny has gone to charity.

The choice of Brainard Airport as this year's venue signifies a major step forward for the Rib Off. A city youth pilot program and an ARC-affiliated organization are the beneficiaries this year. The goal is to fund scholarships for at least five inner-city high-school students to take part in the Pegasus Wings Program, which encourages aviation careers for African-American youths.

Launched by Hartford Jet Center and Pegasus Air Charter, the Pegasus Wings Program gives Hartford students a chance to explore aviation as a legitimate career path. The ultimate objective is to help fund a private pilot license for a promising student.
"Of the 67,000 commercial pilots in this country, only 2 percent of the nation's pilots are African-American," Neumann says. "And while there are a lot of programs out there for financial aid, virtually none of them are available to get a pilot's license."
Neumann adds that he is thrilled to be teaming up with the Hartford Jet Center, which operates Brainard, to announce the new scholarship fund. African-American pilot and Hartford Jet Center Director Barry Alexander, an African-American pilot, and his wife, Amy, are administering their new program, encouraging Hartford students to get involved.

Supporters have also teamed up to promote and celebrate Brainard Airport’s 96th Anniversary.
The Rib Off will also benefit Middletown-based MARC Community Resources, an affiliated chapter of The Arc, the national volunteer organization devoted to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Rib Off aims to raise at least $25,000 for the above programs. Special guests for the day will be adult MARC group-home adult residents, who will be treated to amazing food, live music and a day out with the Hartford Yard Goats. Hartford's new baseball team will play a game later in the day at nearby Dunkin' Donuts Stadium, and their mascot will make an appearance at the Hartford Rib Off.

At the airport, competing teams will vie for both people's choice and official Kansas City BBQ Society Certified judges' scores, concluding with the presentation of the coveted Hartford Rib Off trophy — a lacquered tree stump with a chef's cleaver embedded in it.

With music spun by DJ June Bug and live party-rock bands the Professors of Sweet Sweet Music and the Leaf Jumpers, this year's Rib Off will be a giant celebration.

Early bird tickets are being offered at a deep discount. Advance tickets are $37, available for a short time, after which they revert to the $50 gate price. Each ticket offers a full day of entertainment, unlimited food and beer, aviation and warplane exhibits and games activities for children (children 12 and under enter the Hartford Rib Off for free). For an additional fee, helicopter rides will be available throughout the afternoon.
Stratford's Two Roads Brewing Co. will provide the open taps for the day, and free water and soft drinks will be available for children and designated drivers.

Before the gates open to the public, participating teams will spend the night preparing ribs, brisket and chicken for morning judging. Bring your appetite and a comfortable chair or blanket.
To learn more about the Hartford Rib Off, and to purchase your advance tickets, visit www.hartfordriboff.com. To reach the organizers, email hartfordriboff@gmail.com or call Guy Neumann at 860-478-1774.

Image via Pixabay