Rock, Ribs & Ridges Featuring 38 Special, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Gary Hoey, Matt O’Ree Band

Rock, Ribs & Ridges Returns to Sussex County as New Jersey’s Premier Weekend of Classic Rock, Championship Barbecue, and Outdoor Festival Culture

There are music festivals that focus exclusively on concerts, food festivals that celebrate regional cuisine, and outdoor events built around camping and recreation. Rock, Ribs & Ridges has spent years proving that New Jersey doesn’t have to choose between them. Returning to the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta from June 26 through June 28, the three-day event once again brings together nationally recognized rock artists, award-winning barbecue, craft beverages, camping, and family-friendly entertainment in what has become one of the state’s signature summer festival traditions. More than simply another stop on the live music calendar, Rock, Ribs & Ridges has evolved into one of New Jersey’s most recognizable destination events, attracting visitors from across the Northeast while showcasing the growing strength of the Garden State’s festival industry.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2026
Schedule subject to change.

NOON	DOORS OPEN
1:00 PM	Matt Coffy Band
2:15 PM	Matt O’Ree Band
3:45 PM	Gary Hoey
5:30 PM	Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
7:30 PM	38 Special
9:45 PM	Sugar Mountain (Campers-Only Concert – Richards Building)

The success of Rock, Ribs & Ridges did not happen by accident. Behind the festival is Promo 1, one of New Jersey’s most accomplished event management companies and an organization whose influence extends far beyond Sussex County. Over the course of several decades, Promo 1 has established itself as a leader in producing large-scale festivals, sporting events, concerts, and public celebrations throughout the region. Through its sister company, The Festival Group, the organization has also become the nation’s largest producer of hot air balloon festivals, creating more than fifty balloon events across the country and welcoming millions of visitors to productions that combine entertainment, tourism, community engagement, and economic development.

At the center of that legacy stands one of New Jersey’s most recognizable annual events, the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning. Celebrating more than four decades of history, the festival has grown into the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America, drawing approximately 170,000 visitors annually while earning international recognition for its spectacular balloon launches, nationally known musical performers, aviation demonstrations, family attractions, and community atmosphere. Together, Promo 1 and The Festival Group have welcomed more than 6.25 million guests to festivals, concerts, sporting events, and public celebrations, creating an unmatched track record in New Jersey’s live event industry.

That experience is evident throughout Rock, Ribs & Ridges. The festival is carefully designed as a complete weekend destination rather than a series of isolated concerts. Music remains the centerpiece, but championship barbecue competitions, regional food vendors, craft beer, camping experiences, family attractions, artisan exhibitors, and the scenic landscape of northwestern New Jersey combine to create an atmosphere that encourages visitors to spend the entire weekend immersed in the event rather than attending only a single performance.

The 2026 edition continues that tradition with one of the strongest lineups in the festival’s history, offering audiences a carefully balanced schedule that blends legendary classic rock performers with acclaimed blues artists, rising regional musicians, Southern rock favorites, and tribute acts that have earned international reputations for their authenticity.

The festival begins Friday evening as gates open at 6:00 p.m., launching the weekend with an immediate celebration of classic rock. The Super 70’s Rock Show opens the main stage by recreating one of the most influential decades in rock history through an energetic performance featuring many of the songs that continue defining American radio. The evening then shifts to one of the country’s premier tribute productions as Almost Queen takes the stage. Widely recognized for recreating the music, theatrical presentation, and vocal power of Queen’s legendary live performances, Almost Queen has become a festival favorite across North America by delivering concerts that honor Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon while introducing new generations to one of rock’s most celebrated catalogs. The night concludes with a special campers-only performance by Dead Aire inside the Richards Building, providing overnight guests with an exclusive late-night concert that extends the festival experience beyond the main stage.

Saturday delivers the broadest musical diversity of the weekend while highlighting the depth of contemporary blues, rock, and Southern music. Matt Coffy Band opens the day’s performances before handing the stage to New Jersey favorite Matt O’Ree Band, whose reputation as one of the state’s premier blues-rock acts continues growing through relentless touring and exceptional musicianship. Guitar virtuoso Gary Hoey follows with a performance showcasing the technical precision and melodic style that have made him one of modern rock’s most respected instrumentalists.

As the afternoon transitions into evening, the festival welcomes one of the most exciting performers in contemporary blues. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram arrives in Augusta having established himself as one of the genre’s defining young artists. Combining extraordinary guitar technique with powerful songwriting and commanding stage presence, Kingfish has introduced a new generation of audiences to modern blues while earning widespread acclaim throughout the music industry. His appearance alone would represent a significant highlight of the weekend, but Saturday continues building momentum as legendary southern rock band 38 Special closes the main stage. With a catalog that includes enduring classics such as “Hold On Loosely,” “Caught Up in You,” “Rockin’ Into the Night,” and numerous other radio staples, the band remains one of the defining voices of American arena rock. Campers will again enjoy an exclusive after-hours performance, this year featuring Sugar Mountain inside the Richards Building following a lineup adjustment announced by festival organizers.

Sunday’s schedule embraces the roots of American rock while celebrating artists who continue carrying that tradition forward. Triple Rail Turn opens the afternoon before California’s Robert Jon & The Wreck bring their distinctive blend of Southern rock, blues, and classic guitar-driven songwriting to the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Their rapidly growing reputation has positioned them among the most exciting touring bands currently carrying forward the traditions established by artists such as The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Black Crowes.

One of Sunday’s most anticipated performances belongs to the Artimus Pyle Band, honoring the legacy of Ronnie Van Zant’s Lynyrd Skynyrd. As one of the musicians most closely associated with the original Skynyrd lineup, Artimus Pyle offers audiences more than a tribute performance; he provides a direct connection to one of the most influential chapters in American rock history. Closing the festival is Blackberry Smoke, whose combination of Southern rock, country influences, blues, and Americana has made them one of the most respected touring bands of the past two decades. Their appearance provides a fitting conclusion to a weekend celebrating both the history and continuing evolution of guitar-driven American music.

While the lineup alone would justify a trip to Augusta, Rock, Ribs & Ridges has always distinguished itself through its broader festival experience. Championship barbecue remains one of the event’s defining attractions, with accomplished pitmasters serving smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and other regional specialties prepared using techniques representing barbecue traditions from across the United States. The culinary component has become every bit as important as the music, creating an event where food enthusiasts and concertgoers gather for the same weekend celebration.

Camping further distinguishes Rock, Ribs & Ridges from many other New Jersey festivals. Rather than asking visitors to leave after the final encore each evening, the festival encourages guests to remain on-site, transforming the weekend into a shared community experience where music, conversation, late-night performances, and outdoor recreation become part of the same tradition. The campers-only concerts reinforce that philosophy, rewarding those who spend the entire weekend immersed in the festival’s atmosphere.

Events such as Rock, Ribs & Ridges also play a significant economic role for northwestern New Jersey. Visitors traveling from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region support local hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, retailers, fuel stations, and tourism businesses while introducing new audiences to Sussex County’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Festivals of this scale generate measurable economic activity while strengthening New Jersey’s reputation as a destination capable of producing nationally recognized cultural events.

For Explore New Jersey, Rock, Ribs & Ridges represents something larger than another weekend of live entertainment. It reflects the entrepreneurial vision of New Jersey companies capable of producing world-class events while showcasing the state’s unique combination of music, food, hospitality, and outdoor recreation. Promo 1 has spent decades demonstrating that large-scale festivals can become lasting institutions when they are built around quality programming, exceptional organization, and a genuine understanding of what audiences want from a weekend experience.

As summer reaches full stride, Rock, Ribs & Ridges once again stands as one of the signature events on New Jersey’s entertainment calendar. It is a celebration of live music, championship barbecue, community, and the enduring appeal of gathering outdoors to experience great performances with family and friends. For three days in Augusta, the rhythms of classic rock blend with the aroma of slow-smoked barbecue, creating a festival that has become one of the defining traditions of summer in the Garden State and a powerful reminder that some of the Northeast’s most memorable entertainment experiences continue to be produced right here in New Jersey.