POMEROY – Something for everyone about describes the 2011 Gold Wings and Ribs Festival to take place Friday and Saturday as the opener for a summer of entertainment in downtown Pomeroy.

Hundreds of motorcycles are expected to begin rolling into town early Friday and stay for the weekend of events which will be highlighted by fine entertainment, a variety of activities for both the young and old, plenty of good food, and the always popular motorcycle light parades at 9 p.m. on both nights.

Again this year the championships for Ohio’s Best Ribs and Ohio’s Best Wings will be selected and announced at the featival. There is always plenty of competition for the state titles which means “good eatin” for festival goers, many of whom come early and stay late. The winners will be announced and the plaques awarded at about 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Food vendors will open for business at 11 a.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. on Saturday. The entertainment will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday with the Bobby Maverick Show doing comedy and magic, followed by the popular Magic Mama Band performance at 5 p.m. and the Jody Haught Band at 8 p.m. in the riverfront amphitheater.

Saturday’s activities will begin at 9 a.m. with DJ Rockin’ Reggie spinning tunes on the main stage. At 10 a.m. the Art in the Park show will open in the Court Street mini-park, a car show will get underway at Mark Porter’s GM Super Center, and corn hole tournaments for singles, doubles, pro-singles and social singles will begin on the parking lot.

Again this year the Art in the Park show, where prizes will be awarded in several categories with a grand prize going for the “best of show” is being handled by Diana Johnson. Hours of the show are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when an awards ceremony will take place. Categories of exhibit will include oils, acrylics, watercolor and sketchings in pencil, charcoal and colored pencil. In conjunction with the show, Meigs County 4-H members will be there to do face painting and conduct craft projects for both kids and adults.

As for the car show, it will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and has an entry fee of $15 per car. There will be awards for best of show and runner-up with 20 trophies and dash plaques to be awarded at a 1 p.m. closing ceremony. Jim Nelson is handling the car show and any additional information may be obtained from him at 985-4306.

Amphitheater entertainment on Saturday will open with music by the locally talented Katie Reed at 1 p.m. The Biganga Martial Arts will give a self defense demonstration at 5 p.m. after which the music will return for the remainder of the evening.

Blue grass musicians Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by Arrival re-creating the music of the legendary rock band “Journey” at 9 p.m. to close out the 2011 Gold Wings and Ribs Festival.