Your Guide to the 10th Annual Rock'n Ribfest

As the Rotary Club of Nashua West's Rock'n Ribfest draws closer by the hour, and there is plenty to see and do throughout the weekend.

With beautiful weather on tap – sunny and mid-70s all weekend –all planned events should be a go and the crowds should be as big as ever.

Below is your guide to a fun and fabulous Ribfest weekend. It's got the details you need to know about the event as well as several insider tips from the organizers.

HOURS: Friday, June 15, 4-11 p.m.
             Saturday, June 16, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
             Sunday, June 17 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

COST: $7 per person

There will also be a Military Appreciation Day on Sunday, June 18, with free admission for active military personnel and active reserve personnel with a military ID and up to four family members.  The Military Appreciation Day is co-sponsored by Anheuser-Busch and Nashua Rotary West.

Kids Rides are $1 each or get an unlimited bracelet for $10.

NEW EVENT ALERT: The St.  Joseph Hospital Rock'n Ribfest 5-miler. The race starts and ends near the Clydesdale hamlet. A kids race begins at 8:30 a.m. The 5-mile race starts at 9 a.m. Tickets purchased online before the end of Saturday cost $35. Day of entrance (if there are spots left) costs $40. Runners will receive free entrance to Ribfest after the race and two free beer tickets for runners 21 or older.

INSIDERS TIP: Want to know about road closures or pending thunderstorms as you're heading to Ribfest? Get secure alerts free from the Merrimack Police Department. Sign up at Nixle today with the zip code 03054. http://www.nixle.com.

INSIDERS TIP 2: The Clydesdale Hamlet will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day during Ribfest. Why not arrive early on Saturday to see the horses before the Ribfest gates open at 11 a.m.? (The Clydesdale Hamlet is located at the southern end of the property.)

INSIDERS TIP 3: Elbit Systems (directly across from the Anheuser-Busch entrance) is offering premium parking this year for $5 per vehicle. FREE parking is available in three lots at BAE Systems and at the Harris Pond Office Park, all on Daniel Webster Highway. Shuttle transportation will be provided from all lots.

Also, if you're driving the F.E. Everett Turnpike, take Exit 7E if you're coming from the south and Exit 11 if you're coming from the north to avoid the back-up expected at Exit 10 from mall shoppers. Merrimack, Nashua and State police departments are working closely with us to ensure traffic flows smoothly!

INSIDERS TIP 4: Want a chance to win an iPad? Ribfest is launching its first Exit Survey to help learn how to make the event even better. Complete the survey from your phone as you're leaving or from your home computer, and you'll have a chance to win! Details available as you exit.

INSIDERS TIP 5: Ribfest parking lots open 30 minutes before the gates, so avoid the crowds and come early. Check out the map to plan your route and make it a fun day!

INSIDERS TIP 6: New Hampshire Motor Speedway is donating 48 tickets to use with the Ribfest raffle. Anyone who buys 25 raffle tickets for $20 will automatically be entered to win a 4-pack of tickets. Check out the prize packages below.

Want to save time? Print the PDF of prize packages above to use as an "order form" and bring it to the raffle booth with your payment. Event staff will process your order for you!

INSIDERS TIP 7: Have you ever witnessed a Guinness Book of World Records being set? Head to Ribfest at Friday at 4 p.m. to watch Al St. Louis sing the National Anthem. He's trying to set a world record of most performances within one year. His goal is 200 times, and he's almost there! He will perform at the start of each day of Ribfest.

INSIDERS TIP 8: Want to go to Ribfest and the Premium Outlets without having to fight the traffic and parking multiple times? Or want to kill time while your loved ones browse the new shopping center? There will be a dedicated shuttle between the venues for maximum ease of transportation.

INSIDERS TIP 9: Download the Rock'n Ribfest 2012 activities schedule so you don't miss anything when you are at the event. See the schedule online http://ow.ly/byjta or click on the PDF above.

Want to be at Ribfest to hear your favorite band in the line-up? Check the schedule so you don't miss the beats you want to jam to.

Teen Band Competition:

• Friday, June 15, Teen Band Competition: 4-8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 16, Teen Band Competition winner 1: 11-11:30 a.m.
• Sunday, June 17, Teen Band Competition winner 2: 11-11:30 a.m

Friday Night:

• 1964 The Tribute: 8:30-10 p.m. 

Saturday:

• The Slakas: noon-3 p.m.
• The Pop Farmers: 7 p.m.
• The Psychedelic Relics: 8-11 p.m.

Sunday:

• Blues Brothers the Next Generation: noon-3 p.m.  

READ MORE ABOUT RIBFEST:

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.rotaryribfest.org. Follow Ribfest on Twitter and like them on Facebook.