MERRIMACK – The Great American Ribfest & Food Truck Festival (www.GreatAmericanRibfest.com) returns July 21-23 to Anheuser-Busch Brewery (221 Daniel Webster Hwy) in Merrimack. Ribfest features great BBQ and other foods, great original live music, great beer, and great family fun – and it supports Merrimack Rotary Club. More than 10,000 attendees are expected over the weekend.

Some new additions and changes to the event include:

Expanded Kids Area and Expanded BBQ Vendors

Kids under 16 FREE on Saturday & Sunday courtesy of Best Ford Nashua

Exclusive Friday night concert featuring 90’s rock band SLAUGHTER

Exclusive People’s Choice Rib Sampler, allowing you to taste 10 ribs from 5 BBQ vendors

Final 90 Minutes of Saturday/Sunday entry FREE courtesy of NH Army National Guard

Exclusive Sunday night performance by American Idol finalist and New Hampshire native Alex Preston

“We are so excited to see this great community event return and raise some much-needed funds for local charities,” said Robert Best, past president of Merrimack Rotary. “Ribfest proceeds help us support college scholarships for local youths, Coats for Kids, Habitat for Humanity, three local food pantries, Pure Water for the World, and many other important causes. People can have a great time and support their local community too!”

Ribfest’s 25 food vendors will offer ribs and barbeque, of course, but also tacos, lobster rolls, kebabs, hot dogs and burgers, chicken, fries, bacon on a stick, and more! And don’t forget dessert with ice cream, donuts, kettle corn, fried dough, shaved ice and even blintzes!

A diverse selection of regional bands will play all weekend on the All Energy Solar Music Stage.

FRIDAY, July 21

4:00pm GATES OPEN

5:00-6:00pm The Ben Cote Band (hard rock)

6:30-8:00pm National recording artist SLAUGHTER (hard rock)

SATURDAY, July 22

10:00am GATES OPEN

10:30-11:30am Down By Ten (rock/covers)

12:00-1:30pm Morgan Clark (country/pop)

2:00-3:30pm FirstBourne (hard rock)

4:00-5:30pm Lexi James (country)

6:15-7:45pm NH Army National Guard Rock Band (rock/country/pop)

SUNDAY, July 23

11:00am GATES OPEN

11:00am-12:30pm Crescendo’s Gate (rock)

1:00-2:30pm Feverslip (hard rock)

3:00-4:30pm Brian Templeton Blues Band (blues)

5:00-6:30pm American Idol finalist Alex Preston (indie rock)

Family activities include bouncy houses, Gamer’s Sanctuary video game trailer, and Daniel Webster BSA Council’s Mobile Base Camp, including an inflatable archery range, Spike Ball, Gaga Ball pit, Soccer Darts, and backyard bass fishing activity. In addition, The Rugged Axe will offer axe throwing, face painting will be available from Trading Faces, and Bedford Martial Arts will be giving free demonstrations.

Ribfest hours run 4:00pm-8:00pm Friday, 10:00am-8:00pm Saturday, and 11:00am-7:00pm Sunday. This is a rain or shine event. Tickets, including a limited number of VIP and Rib Sampler tickets, are available online or at the gate, but prices do increase on-site.

Guests can bring: folding lawn/camp chairs, blankets to place on the ground, and (1) bottle of water in a sealed container, but need to leave everything else at home, including pets (excluding service animals), outside food and beverages, and weapons.

No shuttles will be available, so guests need to pay for parking at Anheuser-Busch ($20, on-site) or Elbit Systems ($10, across the street), or use a rideshare service for drop-off and pick-up. Street parking along Daniel Webster Highway is NOT allowed and vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense.

“It takes a lot of effort to put on an event of this scale,” Best said, “so we greatly appreciate our partners at Anheuser-Busch and the Biergarten for hosting us. We also thank our sponsors and supporters in the local community including Best Ford Nashua, NH Army National Guard, InnSeason Resorts, T-Mobile, All Energy Solar, Axis Coach, 95.7 FM WZID radio, 96.5 FM The Mill, and Flush Services.”

To buy tickets (including VIP and Rib Samplers) and parking passes, or to get more information, visit GreatAmericanRibfest.com. Save with promo code JULY4.