As a current board member and former chairman of the board of the Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, I have repeatedly witnessed the impact of the organization and the dedication of its employees. It is with great pride that Toledo Free Press is in its third year serving as one of the media sponsors for Smoke on the Water — Ribs for the Red Cross, presented by Columbia Gas of Ohio.

When you think of summer in Downtown Toledo, your mind may wander to boats on the river or hot nights at the Docks. But for those with a taste for hot ribs, cool music and philanthropy, Smoke on the Water rules the riverfront as the summer’s sweetest weekend.

July 30 through Aug. 1, the Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross will benefit from a terrific line-up of local rib vendors and national concert acts such as Gin Blossoms, MiniKiss and Kentucky Headhunters.

With tickets at just $5, there is no better bargain to be found, especially as the event sends funds to the local Red Cross.

In the aftermath of this spring’s devastating storms and tornadoes, we are proud to support the local Red Cross and our local businesses, especially the rib vendors who make the riverfront smell so wonderful throughout the weekend.

The annual Famous Dave’s Pulled Pork Eating Contest will take place July 31, and the Judges’ and People’s Choice Awards for Best Ribs will be presented Aug. 1.

Music includes Toledo School for the Arts (TSA) Steel Drum Band, Chris Shutters Band, Polka Floyd, MiniKiss, Jason LaPorte, Faux Paus, More Than Me, Kentucky Chrome, Gin Blossoms, TSA Urban Jazz Collective, 9 Lives, Melanie May and Kentucky Headhunters.

Tempting festival food will include ribs, roasted nuts, grilled corn, elephant ears, blooming onions, fries, smoothies, steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs. Aug. 1 is Family Day and Military Appreciation Day. Aug. 1’s bands will be closer to country music than hard rock music.

If you have been watching the aftermath of the June 5 tornadoes that ravaged our area, you should be familiar with how quickly and efficiently the local Red Cross is when responding to a challenge.

On Page A4, Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross Regional Director Tim Yenrick write about some of the organization’s most recent efforts.

Take time this weekend to enjoy some great food and music and support a good cause.

Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. E-mail him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

Tags: Columbia Gas of Ohio, Famous Dave's, Gin Blossoms, Kentucky Headhunters, MiniKiss, Polka Floyd, Red Cross, Smoke on the Water

This entry was posted on Friday, July 30th, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under Opinion, Publisher's Statement.
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