MERRIMACK — The highly anticipated Rock'N Ribfest kicked off Friday, and thousands of hungry patrons are expected to pack the grounds of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Saturday and Sunday.

The gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday, and the festivities continue until closing time at 11 p.m.

“This is sure to be a great time, and there is entertainment for the entire family,” Randy Smith, one of the event organizers, said previously. “People should come hungry and come early.”

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Rock'N Ribfest, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nashua West. Organizers are predicting that this year will be one of the largest crowds for the rib festival, in part because it coincides with the grand opening of the Merrimack Premium Outlets.

Last year, about 25,000 people visited Rock'N Ribfest throughout the three-day event. This year the attendance will be even bigger and better, predicts Smith, who said upwards of 35,000 people could attend throughout the three-day event.

Nine professional rib vendors will be participating and several dozen competitors will try their luck in the New Hampshire State Grilling and Barbecue Championship. About 20 other vendors will also be serving up various dishes.

In addition to delicious barbecued food, lots of entertainment will be on hand for the family. Taking the stage from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday is the Slakas, followed by the Pop Farmers from 3:30-7 p.m. and the Psychedelic Relics from 8 p.m. to close.

Inflatable bounce structures will be available for the children, along with a rock wall, musicians, clowns and magicians. New this year is a 5-mile road race on Sunday morning hosted by Millennium Running. Between 800 and 1,200 runners are expected.

Musical performances, hot air balloon rides, animal presentations, a petting zoo and race car displays are sure to be crowd pleasers, along with tours of the Budweiser Brewery.

Again this year is a Military Appreciation Day, which will take place on Sunday. Free admission will be available for active military members with their military identification, and up to four family members.

Also on Sunday is a performance from Blues Brothers the Next Generation.

All of the money raised from the festival will be distributed to local nonprofit organizations. In the past, the rotary has raised around $100,000 from Rock'N Ribfest. Net proceeds will benefit more than 40 local nonprofit organizations.

The Anheuser-Busch Brewery is located at 221 Daniel Webster Highway. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 at the gate, and children under eight get in free.

Parking is available at nearby businesses, with a free shuttle bus taking attendees to ribfest. A shuttle bus will also be traveling from ribfest to the new Merrimack Premium Outlets site and vice versa for citizens who would like to do both shopping and eating.

For more details on the Ribfest, including a complete schedule, visit www.rotaryribfest.org, or call the hotline at 603-589-2333.

khoughton@newstote.com