The 17th annual Sioux Falls RibFest has the biggest music lineup in their history, a new venue, new prices, a new charity involved and more, so naturally, there have been a LOT of questions leading up to the event May 29-June 1. Here are the answers to the questions we've been receiving since announcing the entertainment way back in February:

Question: How much are tickets to RibFest?

Answers: There are several ticket prices. The best value is a weekend pass for just $30 which gets you in every day. You can also purchase individual day tickets if you can't go every day.  There are also a limited amount of Gold Circle VIP tickets for each night for $150 which includes VIP parking, seating down front and free drinks that evening! General admission tickets are $10 for Thursday  (or click here for VIP) $15 for general admission Friday (click here for Friday VIP) or $20 for Saturday (click here for Saturday VIP) Sunday will be a FREE admission day for KidzFest. In addition to ticketmaster, tickets are also available and the Sioux Falls Arena box office during normal business hours and will be available at the gate the day of the show. Kids 12 and under are free with an adult.

Q: Do I have to buy tickets in advance at ticketmaster or the Arena, or will they be available at the gate?

A: Yes, tickets are going to be available at the gate. You can purchase individual night tickets, weekend passes, or if there are any Gold Circle tickets still available, you can purchase those at the gate as well.

Q: Why did RibFest move from the Arena parking lot to the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds?

A: SO many reasons! More room (with the construction of the new Denny Sanford Premiere Center, we lost a lot of room at the former location. We have the run of the entire Fairgrounds with the enormous stage being set up in what is the Midway during the Fair (not the grandstand). More parking available, easier access, plus there's camping available at the new location (which filled VERY fast!) With this lineup, we knew we had to have plenty of room for everyone!

Q: I have a lifetime RibFest pass. Will they be honored?

A. Yes

Q: I heard military personnel get in free. How does that work?

A: Bring your military ID to the box office at the Fairgrounds to get free admittance. If you are a veteran, the Sioux Falls Arena says that any ID or paperwork that shows you served will be accepted.

Q: What if I just want to come out for ribs and not stay for the music. Do I still have to pay the gate admission?

A: There will be free admission during lunch on Friday and Saturday (11am-3pm) and all day Sunday during KidzFest so you can enjoy all eight of the award winning vendors!

Q: I bought the $30 weekend pass. How much more do I have to pay to see the concerts?

A: NOTHING! The ticket that gets you into RibFest IS your ticket to the concerts! Over a dozen bands will play during the four day festival!

Q: What's the lineup? I know what bands are playing, but what time are they playing?

A: Thursday May 29:

4pm – The Dirty Word Band (from Minneapolis)

5pm – Helix

6:30pm – Honeymoon Suite

9:30pm – Loverboy

Friday May 30:

4pm – Neo Johnson's (From Sioux Falls)

5:15 - Stranger Than Fiction (From Sioux Falls)

6:30pm – Stephen Pearcy of Ratt (backed by his solo band)

7pm – Dee Snider of Twisted Sister (backed by Stephen Pearcy's solo band)

8pm – Tom Keifer of Cinderella (with his solo band)

9:30pm – Rick Springfield (with his band)

Saturday May 31

4:30pm – Guilty Pleasures Orchestra (from Sioux Falls)

6:30pm – Head East

7:45pm – Foghat

9:30pm – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Sunday June 1 is the FREE KidzFest!

12:30pm - Brennan Rock & Roll Academy bands (students and faculty)

Q: I've heard that RibFest benefits the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy. What exactly is that?

A: The Brennan Rock & Roll Academy in Sioux Falls is a place for Boys & Girls Club kids to go to take free music lessons as part of their membership. They are learning instruments, music theory, the recording process and are forming bands. Some of those bands will perform on the big stage at RibFest on Sunday! There will also be a raffle of an Indian Motorcycle during the festival that will benefit the Academy. The winner will be drawn just before Lynyrd Skynyrd plays on Saturday night!

Q: Is the move to the new location and bigger lineup a one year thing?

A: Hopefully this is a permanent move and the start of a great run for RibFest. Let's try to get through this one first before we start thinking about 2015 though. We need to support this move and fantastic lineup in record numbers to show organizers that we love the improvements and want more in the coming years.

Q: Is camping still available at the Fairgrounds during RibFest?

A: We've been told it is sold out, but you can call 605-367-7178 to see if there is a waiting list available.

Q: I heard that there is going to be a chance to win a one of a kind Indian Motorcycle at RibFest. How do I win?

A: Attendees at RibFest will have a chance to win a custom two-tone Indian Chief Classic Motorcycle from Indian Motorcycle Sioux Falls. Not only can you win a legendary Indian Motorcycle, the bike will also feature a custom paint job and will be signed by many of the legendary artists performing at Ribfest making this bike a one-of-a-kind ride, valued at over $100K. Raffle tickets will sell for $100 each and can be purchased at the Indian Motorcycle Booth on the grounds of Ribfest.

Q: Will there be shuttles running to and from the Fairgrounds?

A: With the move to the Fairgrounds for RibFest, we have plenty of parking available on site. There will not be shuttles running.

Q: We're thinking about bringing the kids to the concerts. Is there a child ticket price?

A: No, there is not a reduced child ticket price, though kids 12 and under are free with an adult. Think of RibFest concerts the same way you would if you were going to a concert at the Arena or a bar/concert venue. There aren't different concert ticket prices based on age. The concert tickets for these shows are an absolute bargain already ($20 for Lynyrd Skynyrd alone is MUCH lower than any shows on their current tour. Tickets for the majority of the shows are running $35-$125, yet here in Sioux Falls we will have Skynyrd, Foghat, Head East and Sioux Falls own Guilty Pleasures Orchestra opening. For $20.)

Q: Can we bring lawn chairs?

A: You can bring a lawn chair, but remember this is 'festival seating' as the previous 16 RibFests have been which mean people will be standing down in front of the stage. If you bring a chair, plan on sitting near the back of the concert area.

Q: Can I bring a cooler?

A: No. No outside food or beverages are allowed. No coolers, no backpacks and no pets.

Q: Where can I find the interviews with some of the performers coming to town?

A: Click here and here for interviews with Mike Reno of Loverboy, plus his in studio appearance this week here.

Click here and here for interviews with Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Click here for an interview with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister

Click here for an interview with Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd

Click here for an interview with Chuck Brennan, who put this RibFest lineup together

It's the unofficial start of summer concert season! The 17th annual Sioux Falls RibFest, presented by the Dollar Loan Center. Let's make it a great start to the summer! Highs are expected in the mid 80's Thursday through Saturday and high 70s on Sunday. We have a slight chance of showers Saturday and Sunday.

 

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