The succulent scent of barbeque and the scintillating sound of roots rock has proven a potent lure to LeClaire Park for the past nine years as the two-headed beast of River Roots Live and Ribfest rocks the riverfront, and this weekend it’s once more expected to draw thousands in for stick-to-your-ribs eats and stick-to-your-ears tunes.

The dual festival, which has showcased a wide menu of barbecued treats and other delicious delicacies served up hot with a diverse array of rock and Americana acts since 2007, rolls from 4 to midnight Friday and continues Saturday from noon to midnight. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit downtown Davenport beautification, River Music Experience educational programming and Living Lands & Waters clean-up efforts.

As always, the event not only offers up a solid musical slate, but a deep roster of restaurateurs as well, some offering standard fair fare, but the lion’s share dishing up mouth-watering barbeque, and local fans are happy to gush about it.

“It’s a great festival,” said Sandy Stewart of Moline. “The beer is cold and the food is great.”

“I love the atmosphere, the food smells terrific, the music is really good, it’s relaxing and our little boy loves it,” said Kelly Summers of East Moline, about her and her three-year-old, Chase.

The various vendors likewise are pleased with the event.

“We love coming here, the people are great and they really take care of us,” said Pat Nelson, who brings  his Big Boned BBQ outfit from Charleston, S.C. every year. “The music is always great and the people of Davenport are a joy to be around.”

Two Day General Admission Ticket are $25 in advance, the price for two Day tickets will increase to $30 at the gate. Single day passes will only be offered at the gate for $25 during the event. A VIP Pass is $100 and a VIP package includes entry to the festival and access to VIP area with premium sightlines of the stage.  Other VIP perks include a limited number of complimentary drinks, upgraded restroom facilities, VIP bar with expanded Great River Brewery craft beer selection, and a complimentary meal from a Ribfest award-winning BBQ vendor.

The 2016 Lineup includes:

Friday 8/26
The Candymakers – 11:00pm
Guitar Army – 9:30pm
Alanna Royale – 7:45pm
Luke Bell – 6:15pm
Tara Terra – 5:00pm

 Saturday 8/27
The Main Squeeze – 11:00pm
O.A.R. – 9:30pm
Booker T. Jones – 8:00pm
The Stone Foxes – 6:30pm
Valley Queen – 5:00pm
Ghost of Paul Revere – 3:30pm
Brooks Strause & the Gory Details – 2:15pm
Condor & Jaybird – 1:00pm

IF YOU GO
River Roots Live
4 p.m. to midnight Friday, Noon to midnight, Saturday
LeClaire Park, Davenport
www.RiverRootsLive.com

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Sean Leary Director of Digital Media

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.