Deet’s, casino claim rib-off honors

60,000 take part in Northwest Ohio barbecue tradition

8/11/2014
BY TOM TROY
BLADE STAFF WRITER
  • n2riboff-8

    Lines form for food during the 31st annual Northwest Ohio Rib-Off at the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee. More than 60,000 people attended the event over its four-day run. The event ended Sunday with free admission courtesy of CedarCreek Church.

    THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON
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    • Lines form for food during the 31st annual Northwest Ohio Rib-Off at the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee. More than 60,000 people attended the event over its four-day run. The event ended Sunday with free admission courtesy of CedarCreek Church.
    Lines form for food during the 31st annual Northwest Ohio Rib-Off at the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee. More than 60,000 people attended the event over its four-day run. The event ended Sunday with free admission courtesy of CedarCreek Church.

    Winners of the best ribs were announced Sunday during the 31st Northwest Ohio annual Rib-Off.

    Mike Mori, director of sales for The Blade, flanked by Ronald Schramm, left, and Bob Baker of the Blue Diamonds Detachment, Marine Corps League, holds a guitar signed by Dennis DeYoung of Styx and the group War. The guitar was raffled off during the rib-off to raise money for the Marine Corps League.
    Mike Mori, director of sales for The Blade, flanked by Ronald Schramm, left, and Bob Baker of the Blue Diamonds Detachment, Marine Corps League, holds a guitar signed by Dennis DeYoung of Styx and the group War. The guitar was raffled off during the rib-off to raise money for the Marine Corps League.

    And event director Mike Mori said he had words Friday night with musical performer Ted Nugent after Nugent repeatedly told the audience that, “The Toledo Blade hates you.”

    Mr. Mori, who is director of sales for The Blade, said he told Nugent, whose right-wing views prompted an outpouring of opposition before the Friday night show, that he was disappointed in his statements to the crowd, and told him The Blade sponsored the event and paid his fee.

    “We were served a petition by an anti-gun coalition to not have him play shortly before he went on, and then they put the picture of them giving it to me on the Internet,” Mr. Mori said. “His wife saw it, he thought that The Blade instigated the petition.

    “I met with him after the show. I had a spirited conversation with him. I was very disappointed in him. I think he was a little bit embarrassed. He said he would like the chance to write a letter to explain his side of it,” Mr. Mori said.

    No one responded to an email to Nugent’s spokesman.

    Winner of the People’s Choice Award for best local barbecuer was Deet’s BBQ of Maumee, while the national winner was Butch’s BBQ of Mount Laurel, N.J. The winner of the celebrity judging contest for Best in Northwest Ohio was Hollywood Casino Toledo.

    More than 60,000 people attended the rib-off during its four-day run, which wrapped up Sunday with CedarCreek Church Day during which admission was free, courtesy of the church.

    Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419--724-6058 or an Twitter @TomFTroy.