ROSSFORD, Ohio — The future of the Northwest Ohio Rib Off is up in the air after Rossford City Council rejected an offer to purchase the festival from its current owner, the Toledo Blade.
According to Rossford Mayor Neil MacKinnon, the newspaper is looking to sell the event’s name and infrastructure for $130,000 and pledged to provide $160,000 in advertising support to whichever city takes it on. Mackinnon supported the idea, calling it a chance to boost downtown redevelopment and attract visitors.
“We’re really trying to redevelop our downtown, and I thought for us to host a big signature event in our downtown would bring the foot traffic and the visitors,” he said…