Apparently, the return of Warren’s Ribfest could not have come at a better time.

Warren’s event returns June 25-27 in downtown Warren with live entertainment and, of course, savory ribs. We have no doubt, after so long away, that Warren County residents will make their way downtown to support the event.

They may be joined by some rib lovers from north of the state line with the recent news that Celoron’s longtime rib festival won’t take place this year. A confluence of air quality warnings caused by wildfires in Canada, poor weather during Celoron Ribfest weekends, difficulty finding volunteers to help with the event and competition with other events in the area led Celoron officials to cancel the 2026 festival with an eye toward a possible return in 2027.

It’s encouraging to add another event to the offerings in downtown Warren. Events are an important way to bring additional foot traffic downtown and that, hopefully, our downtown businesses can use to boost their own bottom lines. Hopefully, those who would have made the trip to Celoron will make the trip to Warren instead.

If Celoron’s event returns in 2027, maybe there’s a way to create a bit of a cross-border competition that can drive rib lovers to both events.

Nothing says the events have to run in opposition to each other each year if Celoron is able to bring its ribfest back next year. Perhaps a friendly wager between Warren and Celoron officials to a charitable organization chosen by the respective mayors of the winning festival through a fundraising contest could be an option. There are a lot of options.

But, for this year, come on down to Warren in late June. The ribs – and that delicious smelling rib smoke – will be waiting for you.