If Dad likes blues, classic rock and downhome barbecue, then Cincinnati's only new downtown festival of 2002 is the perfect Father's Day weekend activity. The four-day ConAgra Rib America Festival starts at 11 a.m. today on Race Street between Fifth and Sixth streets.

Dickey Betts & Great Southern

        Live music ranges from local to national, with an emphasis on blues, roots and classic rock with Dickey Betts & Great Southern and the North Mississippi All-Stars on Friday's show. Saturday features Cheap Trick and the Smithereens. Sunday has New Orleans' Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

        “Cincinnati's been a great festival town. I wish we could have done Cincinnati earlier, but we couldn't find the right location,” says Rib America executive director Frank LoPresti.

        Part of Clear Channel Entertainment, he directs the eight Rib America fests from his office in Indianapolis. He helped to start the barbecue fest in Cleveland in 1981. Other cities now include St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis. The other 2002 expansion city for Rib America is West Palm Beach, Fla.

        The city hopes Rib America is good news for downtown businesses after the entertainment boycott and tourism downturn.

        “It's right in the heart of the city,” says Ray Buse, spokesman for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. “It looks like it's going to be a great draw to bring people downtown.”

        The full music lineup:

        Today: 6:30 p.m., Promenade; 8 p.m., Gin Blossoms.

        Friday: 5:30 p.m., North Mississippi All Stars; 7 p.m., Dickey Betts & Great Southern; 8:30 p.m., Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes.

        Saturday: 2 p.m., Greg Schaber & High Street; 3:30 p.m., Beatlemania Live!; 5:30 p.m., Big in Iowa; 7 p.m., Smithereens; 9 p.m., Cheap Trick.

        Sunday: 2 p.m., One; 3:30 p.m., Frank Bradford; 5 p.m., Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

        Admission to Rib America is free before 5 p.m. today, Friday and all day Sunday. Admission is $5 after 5 p.m. today, Friday and all day Saturday.

        In addition to the music, there will be ribs, chicken, pulled pork and other smoked and grilled meat for sale by barbecue vendors from Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina and Ohio.

        More information: www.ribamerica.com.

Race fans camp it up
About the race
Rib America rocks with blues, barbecue
KNIPPENBERG: Knip's Eye View
'Bach & Beyond' superb
Rock survivors haul out the hits at Riverbend
Get to it