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Rib Cooker Application
The Great Midwest Rib Fest 2026 Dates
Thursday, June 25 – Saturday, June 27
Mystic Lake is excited to welcome you to this year’s Rib Fest! Please read this page carefully, as it contains important information for all food vendors. This page also includes links to download the 2025 rib cooker application, a serveware order form, a W-9 form and Exhibit A of our standard terms and conditions detailing insurance requirements. Please complete and return all required paperwork by April 16.
This year’s festival will feature three days of live music, including nationally known headliners. Event admission remains free for all ages. Acts will be announced when they are confirmed. Entertainment will be featured on two stages. Stay up to date with entertainment announcements by checking mysticlake.com.
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FAQs
All rib cookers and food vendors are required to participate in Mystic Lake’s environmental sustainability program. All food items served to guests must be distributed in compostable containers. Mystic Lake will source serveware products on your behalf, and you can order directly through us. Since Mystic Lake already uses these items, you can take advantage of our quantity pricing. All compostable orders are due ASAP. We are seeing pricing fluctuations, so pricing is subject to change. We recommend getting orders in ASAP. The order sheet is available for download on this page. Please send the form back. We will confirm your order and invoice you separately. Please be sure to order enough products for the entire event; we cannot guarantee extra last-minute orders, especially during the event.
The rib tasting competition is Thursday, July 24. Rib runners will be out to collect ribs (time to be determined).
All winners will be announced Saturday, July 26 on the secondary stage (the stage closest to the rib vendors).
Cash Prizes will be awarded as follows:
1st ……… $10,000
2nd ……… $5,000
3rd ………. $2,500
4th ………. $1,000
5th ………. $500
Best Sauce $500
Best of the Fest People’s Choice Award ($0 but bragging rights)
The Great Midwest Rib Fest entry fee is $3,000.
We will not be providing any refrigeration at the event. We will provide space to accommodate refrigeration if you need it on-site.
All vendors and arrival times must be provided before your arrival. Any unscheduled or unidentified vendors will not be admitted to the site.
All menu pricing needs to be consistent across each rib cooker.
Power, water, grease and grey water containers will be provided.
You must provide and lay down tar paper before setup to protect the parking lot from grease stains. Mystic will not supply tar paper.
There will be an important outdoor rib cooker meeting at 2 pm Thursday, July 24. At least one person from your team must attend. More information on this meeting will be provided before the event.
Please see the checklist for required paperwork. All paperwork must be returned by May 2.