Good morning, Erie.

Erie’s 32nd Wild Rib Cook Off and Music Festival started on Wednesday in Perry Square and will run through May 31 — offering award winning barbecue teams from across the country, craft booths, rides and live music.

Local Outlaw Barbecue is representing Erie as it competes with national teams.

Lynn Will celebrated her last shift at Panos’ Restaurant after 49 years of serving Erie locals.

She said she is retiring to foster dogs—she will visit the restaurant periodically to stay connected—with coworkers remembering her as a key part of the Panos’ family.

Tim Grow marked 10 years since he brought food trucks to Erie with his Que Abides—a venture that spurred a growing culinary scene and paved the way for local craft beer and dining options.

He now runs a restaurant in Fairview and uses his truck at private events, underscoring his lasting impact on Erie’s food culture.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner and Representative Mike Kelly visited Erie to review ongoing Opportunity Zone projects that have attracted nearly $400 million in investment at sites such as the 12th Street Corridor, Renaissance Center & Frontier Park.

Congress is considering extending the Opportunity Zone legislation to spur additional job growth in the community.

Erie County's child care system faces staffing shortages and low wages—ECGRA has invested $2.5 million in ARPA funds to help improve teacher recruitment and care quality for local families.

A new report reveals that nearly 45 Pennsylvania counties are facing severe teacher shortages and finds that Erie needs 350 extra qualified teachers as the number of new educators has dropped nearly 50% in the last decade—state experts call for more funding for student teacher stipends and apprenticeship programs to help fix the crisis.

PennDOT announced plans on Monday to demolish two sections of the Beckman Road Bridge in Girard Township after a semi-truck damage led to its February closure—lane closures with rolling stops will affect I-90 between Exit 16 and Exit 9 during this year’s work.

Crews will remove the superstructure and pier now and replace the bridge in 2028 while the four-mile detour remains in use.

On May 25, a Harborcreek angler caught a 53.5-inch, 42-pound muskellunge in Lake Erie during his birthday weekend trip—he battled the fish with light tackle and decided to have his bucket-list catch mounted as a trophy.

3rd Annual Weld Art Competition

6-9 p.m. — The 1020 Collective — Entry fee required — Showcase your welding talents and support scholarships while enjoying local artistry.

Show Me Reptiles Show

11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. — Bayfront Convention Center — $10 General Admission; Kids 6 and under free — Dive into a scaly wonderland with reptiles and aquatic creatures galore.

Spring National M-WTCA Conference

June 4-7 — Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel — Registration available online — Attend informative sessions at this community-focused national conference.

Paint-n-Sip at U Pick 6 Tap House

6-8 p.m. — U Pick 6 Tap House — Cost varies — Unleash your inner artist with a fun evening of painting and sipping drinks.

90's Themed Immersive Pop-Up

8 p.m. — Room 33 Speakeasy — Tickets available — Experience a night of music and laughter as you step back into the vibrant era of the 90's with Tethered Immersive.

Second Saturday at Erie Land Lighthouse

10 AM – 5 PM — Erie Land Lighthouse — Pay-what-you-wish — Enjoy tower climbs and engaging activities at the scenic lighthouse.

@Homekits DIY Workshop at We Rock the Spectrum

@Homekits DIY Workshop — 9:30-10:30 a.m. — Board & Brush Creative Studio - Erie — Pre-registration required — Enjoy a fun DIY crafting session with gym time for kids.

Erie Apparel Dog Days

1-4 p.m. — Oliver's Beer Garden — Free entry — A pet-friendly summer celebration featuring fun activities for dogs and their owners.

BYObook Romantasy Annotation Release Party

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Werner Books and Coffee — Free entry — Romantasy readers come together for an evening of book annotation and creativity.

Book Signing With Amy Iketani

10 AM – 3 PM — Werner Books and Coffee — Free entry — Celebrate the launch of Amy Iketani's romantic fiction sequel, Finding Home.