Doko Ribfest 2025 was big!

BLYTHEWOOD – “It was the biggest Ribfest we’ve ever had,” said festival co-chair Mike Ross. “10,000 pounds of ribs, great weather and at least 3,000 – 4,000 attendees, maybe more. It was a wonderful day, big crowd and great ribs.”

The 6th annual Doko Ribfest Cook-Off was held outside Doko Manor on Saturday, hosting 53 cook teams who took home $8,500 in prize money. There were also 20 – 40 beer trucks, food trucks and other vendors selling everything from t-shirts to ice cream.

“And rib tasting tickets were only $2. It was great,” Ross said.

”We don’t know exactly how much profit we made, because all the receipts have not come in, but I think it’ll be a lot,” he said. “We sold $52,400 in tickets, t-shirts, and souvenir cups and $30,000 in sponsorships. We are especially grateful to our sponsors this year. Our premier $10,000 sponsor was Cirba Solutions, a new com­pany to town that recycles bat­teries, and they haven’t even built their building here yet,” he said. “Other sponsors included the Town of Blythewood ($5,000), KW Beverage and Thermal Tech­nologies ($2,500 each), and many more.

“It really does take a village of sponsors, attendees and great volunteers,” Ross said. “Heather Martin did a great job coordinat­ing over a hundred volunteers to make this happen. The Bengals ROTC and the Westwood High School baseball team came out to help as well as many others from the community. I can’t say enough.”

Live music was provided by Lighten Up Frances and 8 Track Country. A VIP lounge was pro­vided for sponsors.

Amateur Division:
1st Place – Blisterin Butts
2nd Place – Slow Motion BBQ
3rd Place – I Like Bigg Butts BBQ
4th Place – Bare Bones BBQ
5th Place – Wilson’s Be Cooking

Professional Division:
1st Place – Yes, Dear BBQ
2nd Place – Smoke Central
3rd Place – Big Boyz
4th Place – TP. D. Mason BBQ & Provisions
5th Place – The Rusty Porker

People’s Choice: Hall-N-Smoke