Archive for the ‘Downtown London Association’ Category
A record crowd jammed downtown London for the third annual Rib & Jazz Fest
IT’S ANOTHER RECORD DAY FOR LONDON RIB & JAZZ FEST
10-year-old Ben Fisher of London was one of thousands who gobbled up more than 5,000 lbs. of ribs and barbecue during the third annual Rib & Jazz Fest.
A record crowd of more than 10,000 gobbled up more than 5,000 lbs. of ribs and barbecue while jamming to great jazz music during the third annual Rib & Jazz Fest last weekend in historic downtown London, reaffirming the First Friday classic as the largest one-day event in Madison County. The expanded format that sprawled over a four-block area in the heart of the downtown business district attracted a regional audience for great food, great music, kids activities and the festival’s first-ever classic car show on a picture-perfect day.
It keeps getting bigger and better for the three-year-old London Rib & Jazz Fest, the single largest one-day celebration in Madison County.
The 2010 version of the Downtown London Association’s First Friday crown jewel drew its biggest crowd ever, surpassing the 8,000 from a year ago with an unofficial estimate of 10,000 people jamming the historic downtown business district. London Safety-Services Director Steve Hume, who provided official estimates of 5,000 for the inaugural year as well as last year’s burgeoning crowd, declined to venture an estimate for this year, but conceded that the total exceeded last year’s record. Some unofficial estimates even put this year’s crowd at 12,000, almost 50 percent more than London’s population.
The 2010 version of the popular event cashed in on an expanded landscape, sprawling over a four-block downtown area. In addition to the main reasons people turned out for the third annual event — great food and great music — there were also lots of activities for the kids as well as the fest’s first-ever classic car show, which drew an impressive 62 cars under the direction of Tim Wilson.
Five jazz bands from across central Ohio wowed the crowd that grew throughout the day, building to a frenzied crescendo with the showcase finale by three-time fest headliner Mojo Theory.
Despite a constant offering of the best music found anywhere, it was the food that took center stage for the 12-hour party, with revelers pigging out on more than 5,000 lbs. of ribs and barbecue, as well as plenty of roasted corn, French fries, baked beans, juicy watermelon, and an assortment of the usual festival food ranging from burgers and hot dogs to ice cream and mini doughnuts.
A reported 4,300 lbs. of ribs were served up by Ann & Tony’s, Gumm’s, London Grill, London Kiwanis, Red Brick Tavern, S&R BBQ and Tommy Wilson, while an additional 600 lbs. of pulled pork and brisket sandwiches were served by some of the above vendors along with House of Smoke and Pork on a Roll. Add 150 lbs. of barbecue chicken and grilled shrimp by the vendors, and you’ve got 5,050 lbs. of great food.
London Rib & Jazz Fest is presented by London Downtown Association, and sponsored by Bobby Fisher Distributing, Huntington Bank, Our Community and a host of other local sponsors.
Visit “PHOTO GALLERY” for more photos from the big event
By Lynn Adams
When Columbus-based rhythm & blues super group Mojo Theory takes its final bow at 11 p.m. Friday (August 6) as the climax to 12 hours of music, food and fun at the third annual Rib & Jazz Fest, the thousands of Madison Countians expected to jam downtown London will likely find themselves reflecting upon what had just transpired and attempting to determine the day’s biggest star.
And while five bands will have filled the downtown London business district with some of the best music this side of Columbus’ mega spectacular from two weeks before, deciding upon the people’s choice will be a relatively easy choice.
Will it be Mojo Theory as the only two-time returning band from the first two super-successful years? Maybe it will be Crescent River Jazz Group or Soul Satyr. It could be Jimmy Duff or the Linda Dachtyl Trio.
But the biggest star of the day will likely not have played a note of music, will not have sung a word or even have appeared on the stage located in the heart of downtown London.
The crowd favorite will most likely be the topic of conversation for days, maybe weeks — dare we claim years? — to come. And each of the jazz bands who will have poured themselves out onto an adoring crowd will quite probably agree with the people’s choice for the day.
It’ll probably be the ribs. Thousands upon thousands of pounds of the distinctive meat on a bone will have been devoured by a culinary-grateful crowd that put away an incredible 3,500 lbs. of ribs a year ago when burners ran out of the finger-lickin’-good entree for the second consecutive year.
But realizing Madison County’s voracious appetite for the pigsicle, rib burners will again stock up with even more of the savory reason 8,000 hungry patrons flooded downtown London a year ago for ribs, a wide variety of festival-type food and an adults-only beer garden.
Crescent River Jazz Group (featuring Dick Mackey) kicks off the day of jazz at 11 a.m. The heart of the day’s 12 hours of non-stop music will feature the Linda Dachtyl Trio (featuring Larry Smith), Jimmy Duff and Soul Satyr before super-popular Mojo Theory closes out the day as the finale band for the third year in a row.
The Downtown London Association kicked off its 2010 First Friday season with an Art Walk/Music Festival and Madison County’s first-ever Pizza Taste-Off. Musicians who performed included Rod Cave and some of his students, We Be Sharp, Keyfas and Amy Lacey. Pizza Hut (top center) was selected as the county’s best pizza by a panel of celebrity judges, and Rick Wiggins was presented a certificate by Larry Shriver, Brenda Adams and Tom Cox from the Downtown London Association. Big K’s Little Caesars Pizza (above left) was chosen as the People’s Choice for pizza, and Shelly Padilla and Rudolph Chayadi were presented a certificate by Brenda Adams and Tom Cox. The pizza taste-off was a charity event, with donations accepted to benefit the March of Dimes. The pizza taste-off raised $447, which was presented to Shelly Padilla and Rudolph Chayadi (above middle) by Tom Cox. Among the artists displaying their work were David Johnson (bottom left) of Westerville, and John Pyles (bottom center) of London at The Gallery on High.
The first-ever Madison County Charity Pizza Taste-Off will be one of the highlights Friday (May 7) when the Downtown London Association kicks off its First Friday celebration schedule.
Pizza shops from across the county will compete Friday (May 7) at the first-ever Madison County Charity Pizza Taste-Off during 2010’s inaugural First Friday celebration in downtown London. Also on tap for the family-oriented community event is the second annual Art Walk & Music Festival, which will feature original artwork by area artists and live entertainment performed by local and regional vocalists and instrumental bands. Activities get underway at 4 p.m. Friday.
In addition to the tasty competition, the second annual Art Walk & Music Festival will be held at the corner of Main and High streets.
The Art Walk & Music Festival begins at 4 p.m., and is sponsored by the Downtown London Associ-ation, London Visual Arts Guild, Big K’s Little Caesars and Our Community.
The unique art walk is dedicated to local and regional artists representing various media such as painting, jewelry and photography. Booths will be set up on downtown sidewalks for artists to display and sell their work. Some artists will be demonstrating their talents during the event with plein air painting.
Throughout the First Friday celebration, live entertainment will serenade festivalgoers at the corner of Main and High, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Local musical artists expected to perform include Ernie Johnson, Keyfas from Crossroads Community, Amy Lacey, We B Sharp and students of Rod Cave.
Downtown London Association president Brenda Adams presents the Association's Choice trophy to Richard Huddleston of London for his 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air at the conclusion of October Autofest.
Despite unseasonably frigid temperatures in the low 40s and wind chills in the 30s, Madison County families turned out to see more than 30 hot rods on display for the first-ever October Autofest, sponsored by the London Downtown Association. Other sponsors for the Friday afternoon/evening event, which was located on Second Street at Main Street, included Coughlin Automotive, Starr Trophy, Muffler Brothers, NAPA Auto Parts, O’Connor’s Office Products and Our Community.
Planning for the third annual Jazz & Rib Fest gets underway Wednesday (Sept. 2) at a 5:30 p.m. meeting for volunteers at the London City Council chambers. Read the rest of this entry »
THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE PAGE OF PHOTOS FOR THIS ALBUM. ACCESS ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. TO DOWNLOAD PHOTO, CLICK THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE, THEN RIGHT CLICK TO SAVE.
THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE PAGE OF PHOTOS FOR THIS ALBUM. ACCESS ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. TO DOWNLOAD PHOTO, CLICK THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE, THEN RIGHT CLICK TO SAVE.
THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE PAGE OF PHOTOS FOR THIS ALBUM. ACCESS ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. TO DOWNLOAD PHOTO, CLICK THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE, THEN RIGHT CLICK TO SAVE.
THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE PAGE OF PHOTOS FOR THIS ALBUM. ACCESS ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. TO DOWNLOAD PHOTO, CLICK THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE, THEN RIGHT CLICK TO SAVE.
