Correspondent file photo / Bob Jadloski The Clarks are shown opening for John Mayer in Wean Park last year for YLIVE, one of many Mahoning Valley gigs the band has played over the years. The band will perform June 12 as part of the Ribs-N-Rock Festival in Boardman.

A Ribs-N-Rock Festival regular and two newcomers fill the music slots, and four proven favorites will be serving the meat when the festival returns June 11 at DeBartolo Commons at Southern Park Mall Boardman.

Opening the festival on June 11 will be Trapt, best known for the song “Headstrong,” which topped the alternative, hard rock and mainstream rock charts in 2002 and peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has more than a half billion streams on Spotify. Other mainstream rock hits include “Still Frame,” “Stand Up” and “Who’s Going Home with You Tonight?,” and lead singer/rhythm guitarist Chris Taylor Brown and bassist Pete Charell have been a part of the band since its formation.

“They have a very good following in the area, and some very nice, radio-friendly songs,” Promoter Corey Ward said.

The Clarks, who had been the opening night headliner for years, will take the Friday for the second consecutive year.

“They’ve been a proven draw every year that we have them, so it was kind of a no-brainer to put them on Friday,” Ward said. “People request them to come back every year. We started the festival in 2017 with The Clarks playing, and we’ve had them every year since.”

Closing the festival on June 13 will be Puddle of Mudd. Fronted by Wes Scantlin, the band had 15 top 40 mainstream rock hits, including five number ones — “Blurry,” “Drift & Die,” “She Hates Me,” “Away from Me” and “Psycho.”

“I like to stick with that ’90s, early 2000s era, especially on Saturday night,” Ward said. “Puddle of Mudd has always been on our radar, and all the stars pretty much aligned this year to get them to play.”

Of course, music is only half of the draw. This year’s grillmasters will be Cowboys Barbeque & Rib Company from Fort Worth, Texas; Carolina Rib King from Spartanburg, S.C.; Off the Bone BBQ from Mobile, Ala.; and Chicago BBQ Company.

“All four are A-list vendors and each one of them has their own following,” Ward said.

A variety of other fair foods will be available for purchase.

If you go …

WHAT: Ribs-N-Rock Festival

WHEN: Noon to 11 p.m. June 11, 12 and 13

WHERE: Boardman Commons, Southern Park Mall, 7401 Market St., Boardman

HOW MUCH: Admission is free until 3 p.m. each day and $7 after 3 p.m. on June 11 and $10 on June 12 and 13. For more information, go to ribsnrock.com.

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE: The June 11 lineup is No Funk No Justice at 6 p.m. and Trapt at 8 p.m.; June 12 is 7% Superstar at 5 p.m., Rajma at 7 p.m. and The Clarks at 9 p.m.; and June 13 is Mr. Miyagi ’80s Band at 5 p.m., AC & the Heat at 7 p.m. and Puddle of Mudd at 9 p.m.