FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JULY 18TH & 19TH, 2025
Phil Vassar and Keith Anderson locked in for B's on the River Rib Fest '25
Fan favorite Phil Vassar and "XXL" hitmaker Keith Anderson will perform at the 14th B's on the River Rib Fest Saturday, July 19, 2025 in Watertown, MN.
"Phil Vassar is one of those artists we've been asked to try to get at Rib Fest ever since we began bringing national acts to Watertown," said B's on the River owner Bryan Baumann. "We know how good of an artist he is, and how amazing of a show he puts on, so we're very grateful the stars aligned this year to be able to have him at our event."
Known for always "bringing the music," Keith Anderson will be joining Vassar at Rib Fest. Additional entertainment for Saturday is still to be announced. Tickets and camping for Rib Fest 2025 went on sale Jan. 24 and are available now at https://www.bontheriver.com/rib-fest/rib-fest-tickets or by calling (952) 955-2223.
In addition to the live music, Rib Fest will also include the famous backyard BBQ rib contest and rib tasting, along with the ever-popular all-you-can-eat chicken and rib dinner, again featuring St. Louis-style ribs. Cash bingo - which became a fast-favorite two years ago - is also set to return in 2025.
Festivities begin Saturday at 2 p.m., and the day's schedule will also include children's activities (free with paid admission to the event) and more. B's on the River's food wagon, featuring mini donuts, cheese curds and additional offerings will also be available. Drive-up to-go rib and chicken dinners will be available again Saturday from 5-6 p.m. Pre-order is requested by calling (952) 955-2223. Along with the food and live music, the night's entertainment will be capped off by a special fireworks display.
Kicking the weekend off Friday, July 18 is the BOB 106 FM pre-Rib Fest Party. There is no cover for the live music (artist TBA) or to attend the Friday night festivities. The night will also feature the ever-popular pork chop dinner, the Rib Fest beanbag tournament, plus prizes and last-minute Rib Fest ticket giveaways. Baumann also encourages fans to "Camp along the Crow," and make a weekend out of it by staying at B's on the River the entire weekend.
About Phil Vassar
Phil Vassar’s reign of signature songs include 10 number-one singles and 27 Top 40 hits, including "Carlene," "Just Another Day in Paradise," "Six-Pack Summer," "When I Love You," and many more. The piano-pounding power house is going coast to coast celebrating more than 20 years of hits.
Vassar’s songwriting career blossomed in the mid-’90s when he landed a publishing contract with EMI and penned hits for Collin Raye ("Little Red Rodeo"), Alan Jackson ("Right on the Money"), Tim McGraw ("My Next Thirty Years," "For a Little While"), Jo Dee Messina ("Bye Bye," "Alright"), and BlackHawk ("Postmarked Birmingham"). He signed a record deal of his own with Arista in 1998 and was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1999 and 2001.
Phil Vassar’s Songs From The Cellar TV Show airs on the Circle Network and features artists, songwriters, entertainers, and athletes. Each show features conversations and musical collaborations with some of today’s biggest stars. Phil’s laid back style and quick wit brings out interesting and entertaining stories with every guest. If fans miss Songs From The Cellar episodes, they can catch up on the SFTC Podcast, streaming on American Songwriter Network, Pandora, Spotify, or wherever fans enjoy their podcasts.
Vassar was racking up hits on the radio long before his solo recording career that has seen the release of nine albums, two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Trophies, ACM’s Top New Male Vocalist and sold-out shows across the country.
About Keith Anderson
Singer/Songwriter Keith Anderson’s latest song “I’ll Bring The Music” sums up Anderson to a T. That is one thing that you can always say about this academic athlete from Miami, OK, who has always excelled at anything he has put his mind to, is he WILL bring the music.
Although he has co-written hits for other artists, most notably “Lost In This Moment,” the number-one smash for Big & Rich which garnered him a CMA and ACM Song of the Year nomination, Anderson does not write with other artists in mind.
“I think I’ll always write about what I know and feel - and typically with myself in mind. However, I write a lot and I keep the songs that are really speaking to me when I’m recording, and pitch everything else to other artists," Anderson said. Anderson also co-wrote the Grammy-nominated, “Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)” for Garth Brooks and George Jones, “The Bed” for Gretchen Wilson, and “Barn Burner” for Jason Michael Carroll.
His debut album, “Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll,” was certified Gold and garnered two Top 10 hits (accompanied by two number-one music videos), “Pickin’ Wildflowers,” and “Every Time I Hear Your Name,” along with two Top 30 hits “XXL” and “Podunk.” This success prompted music trades Billboard and Radio & Records to name him country music’s New Male Artist of 2005 and the top new solo country artist of the year. It wasn’t just his music that was getting attention. Anderson was named one of People Magazine’s “50 Hottest Bachelors,” and Men’s Fitness Magazine’s “Ultimate Country Star.” Anderson’s sophomore record garnered the biggest hit of his career, “I Still Miss You,” which peaked at number two, and another Top 25 hit, “Sunday Morning In America.”
About The 70's Magic Sunshine Band
The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band is a high-energy live concert experience that plays the biggest top 40 AM radio hits from the 1970s, tailor-made to fill the dance floor! The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band brings you back to the era of 8-track stereos, polyester and belle bottoms!
Hit making artists from the 1970's include: The Bay City Rollers, Bee Gees, Hall & Oates, Pilot, The Sweet, Three Dog Night, The O’Jays, Elton John, The Partridge Family, Shocking Blue, Little River Band, Selections from Guardians of the Galaxy and more.
The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band has entertained all over including: Moondance Jam, Canterbury Park, Minnesota State Fair, Excelsior Brewing Company, Treasure Island Resort and Casino, Bunker's, Prairie Meadows Casino & Hotel, Lord Fletcher's, Birch's on The Lake, Arbor Lakes Shopping, Bunker’s, First Avenue, Woodbury Lakes Shopping, Medina Entertainment Center, Excelsior Concerts in the Commons, Summertime By George, corporate events for Federated Insurance & Edward Jones, The Winter Carnival and more!
There is NOTHING out there like this group, the period-perfect costumes, the biggest AM radio hits and high energy, interactive performances that get the whole crowd involved! It truly is… "The Ultimate Tribute to 70's AM Radio."
BOB 106 Friday Night Pre-Rib Fest Party
Live Music / B's Pork Chop Dinner / Bean Bag Tournament
Pre-Rib Fest Featuring TBD Artist
Friday, July 18th, 2025
The Friday night pre-Rib Fest Party will also feature the ever-popular pork chop dinner plus prizes and ticket giveaways. Baumann also encourages fans to, "Camp along the Crow," and make a weekend out of it by staying at B's on the River the entire weekend.
RIB FEST 2025 SCHEDULE
Thursday
7pm Accepting Camping Units
Friday - No Cover Charge
12pm-Dusk Accepting Camping Units
5:30pm Bean Bag Registration (Can Preregister @ B's Prior to Event)
6pm Bean Bag Tournament Starts
6pm-Gone Pork Chop Dinner
6:30-10:30pm TBD
8am BBQ'rs Arrive / Accepting Camping Units
10am Cooker's Meeting
2pm Gates Open
2pm Food Truck Opens / Kids Events / Rib Tasting Kits on Sale –
DJ Chopper – “World’s Nuttiest DJ” 2pm-4:30pm, Face Painting, Bounce House
2:30pm Cash Bingo (Under Tent; $1,000 Final Game) / Pull Tabs
2:30pm Rib Contest Turn In
2:50pm Pick-Up Rib Tasting Kits
3-4:30pm Rib Tasting Begins
4:30pm VIP Opens
4:30pm Rib & Chicken Buffet Line Opens
$20 Adults $15 Kids 9 & Under
5-6pm Take Out Rib and Chicken Dinner $20
5-7pm VIP Buffet Line
4:30-7:15pm The 70's Magic Sunshine Band
7:45-9:15pm Keith Anderson
9:45-11:15pm Phil Vassar
11pm Fireworks
Additional Offerings at 2025 Rib Fest
Cash BingoFeatures 10 rounds of bingo with 8 games with 75% cash payout, 1 game with 90% cash payout and final round is $1000 cash payout. Each round will also have featured prizes including VIP ticket upgrades, Meet and Greet tickets and more!
Pull Tabs
Both Friday & Saturday night the pull tab booth will be open with a variety of games available for play!
Kids DJ
"World's Nuttiest DJ" DJ Chopper will be playing by the Kid's Events from 2pm-4:30pm. Fun kid's games and an interactive experience for all to enjoy!
Friday Night Bean Bag Tournament
The Bean Bag Tournament will be Friday night. Preregistration is available at the bar any time. $25 per 2-person team.
Backyard BBQ Rib Contest
Our Backyard BBQ Rib Contest is a fun rib cooking contest (limited number of cooking spaces available). Cooks will prepare 10 full racks of ribs, all furnished by B's on the River. This is an opportunity for you to show your rib cooking skills off! The cooks furnish seasonings and sauce, along wth serving up their tasty ribs to guest tasters. Your ribs will be judged first by KCBS (Kansas City Barbeque Society) certified judges and then by our guest tasters.
2025 Ribfest Contest Entry Form
*Notice of Change: Rib Contest Cookers may start cooking as soon as they receive their ribs. Ribs will be available starting at 7am Saturday.
General Pricing
VIP: Includes: Admission, private viewing area in front of the stage, private bar, All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Rib and Chicken Dinner, private seating area for dinner, 2 free drinks and private bathrooms. (*In response to guest requests, the VIP area at Rib Fest will NOT include seating in front of the stage. There will be stand up bars with assigned spots for each ticket holder. VIP ticket holders will have access to the exclusive VIP tent, which does include seating, in addition to the private viewing area in front of the stage*): $140
General Admission: In Advance: $40 At the Door: $50
All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Rib and Chicken Buffet: $20
Camping: 3 Nights (Thursday/ Friday/ Saturday): $145
Tickets will be available for purchase by clicking here or at B's on the River, 1455 County Road 27, Watertown, MN. General Admission tickets will be sold the day of Rib Fest.
Camping
Primitive camping (no electrical or water hook-ups) is available at B's on the River Rib Fest 2024. One sleeping unit (ie. camper or tent) and one vehicle per site is allowed. Campsites must be reserved by July 11th, 2025 and will not be available for purchase at the gate the day of the event. Fires and pets are not allowed.
Campers will be accepted after 7pm on Thursday, July 17th.
Hotel Accomodations
GrandStay Hotels
395 13th St S, Delano, MN
(763) 972-4303
AmeriVu Inn and Suites
550 Cherry Dr. Waconia, MN
(952) 442-8787
Cab Services
Christie Cab
(763) 913-4889
Thank You to all of the 2024 Rib Fest Sponsors!
Republic Services, Gallus Painting, MBE, Fobbe Electric, Bursch Brothers Sand & Gravel, Anchor Plastics, Vanderlinde Group Edge Reality, Fine-Line Foundations, Mikie's Landscaping, Stein Heating & Cooling, Hecksel Machine Shop, Class Act Outdoor Furnace, Kohl's Dairy, M & K Construction, K-Way Trucking, Rocket Crane, Davis Motorsports / Chevy, Delano Family Dental, Bauer Design Build, Showcase Lawncare, Berg Exteriors, All Season Sports, Lansing Indoor/Outdoor Services, Kevin Butcher Edina Reality, Matter Construction, Graham Moving, Elmer J. Peterson Company, and Performance Food Group
Disclaimers: B's on the River/Rib Fest is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets, personal injury, or loss, theft, or damage to personal property. By attending Rib Fest, you acknowledge and agree your photo may be used in future promotional materials, including but not limited to social media. B's on the River/Rib Fest has the right to inspect persons or parcels. Chairs, food, beverages or coolers may not be brought into the music area. Must be 21 or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages in any event area. Violators will be ejected. Please carry a picture ID with you at all times. No pets allowed. No audio or video recording of any kind is permitted. No refunds for anyone ejected for rule violations. Call for handicap accommodations. Rain or shine event. No refunds or exchanges. Artists subject to change without notice. Firearms are not permitted anywhere on B's on the River property.
