LISTEN: Ribfest Returns to Downtown Shawano with Plenty of Flavor and Tradition

SHAWANO, WI- The smell of grilled ribs is filling the air once again in downtown Shawano as Ribfest returns to Charlie’s County Market, bringing with it one of the community’s most mouthwatering traditions.

Organizer Peter Harvey says the event has been going strong for about two decades, after being started by his father, Charlie Harvey. “Holy man, we started this about 20 years ago, it was my dad’s idea,” Harvey said with a smile. “They come in smoked, and we finish them off on the grill with our special St. Louis-style sauce. We do them over charcoal, it doesn’t get any better.”

Harvey says the crowd keeps growing every year. “Yeah, it gets larger every time,” he said. “Today we’ll probably go through about 1,000 to 1,300 racks. On the Fourth of July, we’ve gone through close to 2,000.”

He added that Ribfest isn’t just about food, it’s about community. “This time of year, things quiet down a bit, so we just want to stir things up, get people out of the house, and have some fun,” Harvey said. “Eat some ribs, enjoy the best ribs on the planet.”

Longtime griller Dan Mauel has been part of the Ribfest crew for years. “It’s hot by the grill, very hot, but the Harveys are good friends of ours,” Mauel said. “My brother and I both come out here three times a year. They keep us hydrated and happy.”

Mauel says his job is simple but important. “They’re pre-cooked, and my job is to make sure they’re hot and slathered in really good barbecue sauce,” he said. “When the coals are hot, it takes about four minutes a rack, maybe eight if they’re cooler.”

Between the smell of charcoal, the sound of sizzling ribs, and the line of hungry customers stretching across the parking lot, it’s clear Ribfest remains one of Shawano’s favorite fall traditions.