Get your bibs and wet wipes ready, Reno, because here comes a hot gooey mess of bliss.

The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off returns to the Nugget Casino Resort on Wednesday, Aug. 31 for a six-day festival showcasing the best rib cookers in the U.S. 

The Rib Cook-Off returns to Victorian Square outside the Nugget Casino Resort beginning Aug. 31, 2022. The festival features roughly 20 of the country’s best high-volume rib cookers squaring off for the highly coveted title of Best In The West.

We've compiled a list of the essential things to know before getting hot and messy later this week.

Rib cookers from across the country are coming to Reno for an epic showdown and $19,500 in cash prizes. 

There's a lot of interesting music scheduled for the 2022 rib fest, from country to dance. Here are some of the acts:

Reno-Tahoe shows this week:Dave Matthews Band, Incubus, Rib Cook-Off acts and more

There are no tickets required to attend, but there are various ticket packages that allow you to get deeper into the rib experience. Some packages include entertainment and rib buffets, while others only give you a meal ticket for one sandwich or sampler plate. When you've done your research, you can purchase tickets at nuggetribcookoff.com. 

Parking is notoriously difficult at any big event in the Reno area. While you can park for free at the Nugget’s East and West Parking lot, there is a free park-and-ride shuttle service to transport visitors to the event from these two locations: 

Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, at 1350 Wells Ave.

Greenbrae Shopping Center at 510 Greenbrae Dr. in Sparks

The shuttle service runs from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31 to Sunday, Sept. 4. Visitors can also enjoy free RTC rides to the venue via the RAPID Lincoln Line and Route 11.

Follow @HaddadEvan for timely, relevant and compelling reporting on food, drinks and city life in Reno. Please consider supporting his work by subscribing to RGJ for news about Northern Nevada that you won't find anywhere else.