Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Northwest Ohio Rib Off is coming to Oregon’s Oak Shade Grove annually starting next year.
The German American Festival Society has purchased the event’s naming rights, and Oregon mayor Steven Salander said he spoke with the society’s president, Ben Krieger, a few weeks ago after the papers were signed.
“We're super excited,” Salander said. “It's going to be a big deal. Ben does a great job over there. We definitely want to partner up together, and we just look forward to what we can do with that partnership.”
The announcement comes after previous event owner, The Toledo Blade, had an offer to purchase the naming rights and infrastructure rejected by Rossford’s city council members in October 2025.
Council members expressed concern about the event’s declining reputation and rising costs.
It had been held at the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee since 2006. Prior to that, it was held in downtown Toledo’s Promenade Park. The event celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024.
However, the Northwest Ohio Rib Off will now be in Oregon, and Salander is embracing it.
“Ben is looking at bringing in local bands to give them some spotlight,” Salander said. “He’s going to do a great job and whatever he needs from the city, we're going to partner up with him and get it done and put Oregon on the map. We're really excited about it.”
Krieger was at Oregon’s city council meeting on June 22, and he said they’re shooting for a mid-to-late June date for the event in 2027, and he said the papers were signed three weeks ago.
“Once the documents and money exchanged, word got out, especially the vendors,” Krieger said. “Vendors have been calling. Good things are happening in Oregon. Good things are happening at Oak Shade Grove.”
