Fort Wayne Ribfest 2024: Smoked Q, BBQ, and Backyard Conversations

Man, Ribfest at Headwaters Park is just it for me. The second that smoke starts rolling over the river and the music kicks up, you know summer has officially landed in Fort Wayne. I swear you can smell those ribs from half a mile away, and once you do, you’re hooked.

This was my second year setting up with Smoked Q rubs and sauces, and honestly, it didn’t feel like work—it felt like catching up with a bunch of old friends. Folks I met last year swung by to tell me how they’d been using the rubs on brisket, pork, even Brussels sprouts (yes, Brussels sprouts… and they showed me pictures to prove it). That’s Ribfest for you—it’s not just food, it’s swapping stories, recipes, and plenty of laughs.

A Weekend of BBQ and Community

There’s nothing like setting up in the middle of all that energy. Headwaters Park turns into BBQ central for the weekend, and being right there in the mix is the best seat in the house. I had people stopping by who’d been following Smoked Q online all year, finally getting the chance to grab some rubs in person.

One guy told me he used Anytime Seasoning on grilled corn and said it was the best corn he’s ever had. Another family stocked up on Coffee Rub for their annual brisket cook. That’s the stuff that fires me up—yeah, Ribfest is about the food, but it’s also about those connections with people who love BBQ just as much as I do.

BBQ Tips and Backyard Inspiration

My favorite part? The back-and-forth with folks at the booth. Someone asks about pork belly burnt ends, then next thing you know, five other people jump in swapping tips on temps, woods, and sauces. It turns into a little BBQ huddle right there in the middle of the festival.

I got to share some of my go-to ideas—like smoking Brussels sprouts with balsamic or doing beer bath brats on the pellet grill. That’s when I know it’s bigger than just selling a jar of rub. If Smoked Q ends up being the secret ingredient behind someone’s next big backyard win, then I call that a victory.

Year Two and Counting

Rolling back into Ribfest for a second year hit different. It felt like Smoked Q is really becoming part of Fort Wayne’s BBQ story, and that’s humbling. Between the live bands, the smell of the pits, and kids running around with sauce smeared across their cheeks—it’s everything I love about this city wrapped up into one weekend.

Packing up at the end of the festival, I just felt grateful. Ribfest isn’t only about showcasing what we make—it’s a reminder of why we make it. For the families grilling on Saturday nights. For the pitmasters chasing that perfect brisket. For the backyard cook who just wants to wow their crew.

Ribfest 2024 is in the books, and I’m already counting down the days until next year.