A festival celebrating Southern Rock and BBQ is coming to NJ

Northern New Jersey might not seem like the most likely place to have a festival celebrating Southern Rock & BBQ, but nobody told the people behind the Rock, Ribs, and Ridges Festival, to be held June 24-26 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta.

Then again, that’s the same place that just held a festival all about crawfish and Louisiana cooking.

The musical lineup is pretty impressive with names you know like Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jim Messina, Molly Hatchet, Don Felder (another Rock and Roll Hall of Famer), Artimus Pyle, Duane Bettts, rising country star Jessica Lynn, and others.

"We're proud to continue to attract the biggest stars to our stage and this year feature Jim Messina, a legendary artist who created country rock, and our largest lineup of Rock & Roll Hall of Famers ever," said Howard Freeman of Promo1, who serves as the event's executive producer. "It's going to be a great weekend and the place to be this summer."

Of course, the music is only part of the fun. Some of America’s premier pitmasters will be serving up ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and all manner of barbecue.

“Ribbers” from across the country will be competing for “best ribs”, “best sauce”, and “people’s choice” awards. Two of the barbecue joints are from New Jersey: Joe Smoke from Hightstown, and Fossil Farms of Boonton. Pitmasters from Texas and Florida will be onsite, as well.

For more info, go to the festival website here.

If that sounds good to you, tickets are available here.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Doyle only.

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Dave Portnoy, commonly known as El Presidente, is the founder of Barstool Sports. Somewhere along the way, he decided to start reviewing local pizzerias, and the concept took off. Here is every New Jersey pizzeria Dave has stopped in, along with the score he gave them.

These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey

A trip to New Jersey doesn't have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.

From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it's a great workout.

Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners' suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.

If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.

Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.

You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.

Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.

If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.

Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it's probably best to save your hike for another day.

I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:

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A little less than 30 cents of every $1 in property taxes charged in New Jersey support municipal services provided by cities, towns, townships, boroughs and villages. Statewide, the average municipal-only tax bill in 2021 was $2,725, but that varied widely from more than $13,000 in Tavistock to nothing in three townships. In addition to $9.22 billion in municipal purpose taxes, special taxing districts that in some places provide municipal services such as fire protection, garbage collection or economic development levied $323.8 million in 2021.

Source: A festival celebrating Southern Rock and Southern BBQ is coming to New Jersey

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