More than 20 years ago, what began as a small Town of Avon event with a few hundred people has grown to the highly anticipated, largest single-day event in Hendricks County, welcoming approximately 12,000 visitors each year to the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex.
The Hendricks County Rib-Fest & BBQ is an annual tradition full of live music, family-friendly events, hot air balloons, a craft fair and, of course, a BBQ competition. My family never misses it.
Here are some tips for exploring this popular festival from sunrise to sunset on June 27.
Get your morning started right by participating in the Rise n’ Swine 5K Rib Run/Walk and Riblet Kids Run. The Rib Run gets started at 9 a.m. Then, at 10 a.m., the youngsters (ages 1-12) can get in on the action and show off their speed in the ¼-mile Riblet Run.
Registered participants will receive plenty of swag, including early play time on the bounce houses, a completion medal and $5 worth of Rib-Fest food and drink tickets.
There will be plenty of finger-licking-good options from a variety of BBQ chefs. Feast on creations from local and well-loved vendors such as Double D’s Southern BBQ, Chasin Dreams BBQ and Phat Daddy’s BBQ and more.
Celebrity judges name the Best Ribs and Best Sauce for 2026. If BBQ isn’t your thing, Avon Kiwanis, Cabin Coffee Company, Bruster's Real Ice Cream and a variety of craft beer and wine vendors will also be on hand, providing other foods, desserts and drinks.
The fifth annual craft fair, sponsored by the Plainfield Lions Club, will take place inside the Expo Hall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Shoppers can browse through more than 65 vendor booths featuring jewelry, home decor, knitted items, woodworking, apparel, seasonal items, quilts, soaps, candles, yard art and more.
The Children’s Entrepreneurial Market will return this year, and the activity was so popular that it will have a more prominent location on the main promenade in 2026. The youth have gone through the process of learning about business, making their product and more than 40 different booths will feature their creations for sale.
The fun doesn’t stop there. In addition to the Riblet Run and Entrepreneurial Market, a petting zoo and touch-a-truck opportunities will also be available in the kids’ area.
Also, new this year, visitors will see a variety of local bands on stages throughout Rib-Fest. They’ll cap off the evening with headliner and Danville grad, Tarron Lawson.
You’ll also want to stick around to see the finale with colorful hot air balloons and dazzling fireworks lighting up the Hendricks County sky. Don’t forget your picnic blankets and lawn chairs, and find the perfect spot on the lawn to wrap up the 21st annual Rib-Fest.
