For nearly a quarter century, residents from all over Northeastern Ohio have flocked to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea to enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend annual symbolic summer kick-off: Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest. The Cook-off has established itself as one of the premier events in the Cleveland area, and is only made possible thanks to the tireless work of the Berea City Club, Inc. and local volunteers.
The Berea City Club was founded in 1998 and have, since their inception, donated over a million dollars to community-related causes and infrastructure initiatives. Projects either partially or fully funded and planned by the Berea City Club include: The Berea Clock Tower, Coe Lake Bridge, and Lou Groza Boulevard. With your help, the Berea City Club hopes to continue in its mission to improve the community… and all you really have to do to help is eat ribs (not a bad deal for you!). Memorial Day weekend will mark the festival’s 27th year at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. The exact dates to remember are May 22-25, 2026.
Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest draws Area and National Rib Teams to compete for First, Second and Third Place in a variety of areas: Best Ribs, Best Sauce and other Awards. For more information call Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off HOTLINE NUMBER: 440-234-5181.
Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest is the signature event for Berea’s City Club. While the event only lasts a weekend, the planning requires a year-long commitment from all of its volunteer organizers. The Berea City Club’s Mission Statement is: To promote positive civic interests for the betterment of The City of Berea. The Berea City Club is a not for profit organization which contributes proceeds generated by its fundraising efforts back into the community. In fact, the list of organizations that have received assistance from the fine folks at the Berea City Club, Inc. is too long to catalog here, but it includes: churches, pageants, the Kiwanis, sports teams, the arts, scouts, Polaris, school booster organizations, as well as civic initiatives like Berea Welfare and Options for Families. In short, when it comes to supporting the community, the Berea City Club Inc. is there.
The primary fundraiser remains Memorial Day weekend’s gala: the 27th Annual Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest.
A select group of Rib Teams will compete all weekend long to satisfy your appetite for ribs, serving up the best ribs and sauce you will ever taste! Other traditional Fair Foods will also be available.
The Children’s Activity Area will feature a Euro bungee trampoline, mechanical bull, and an inflatable bounce house.
