Rib-tastic weekend

Dylan Patterson was originally planning to go fishing on Sunday.

But, waking up to one of the warmest days of the year, and persuaded by repeated radio advertisements, he decided to take a pass and head to Rib Fest.

His face dripping with sauce from people’s choice winner Jack the Ribber, the 17-year-old Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute student wasn’t regretting his decision for a moment.

“The sauce is pretty good and you can taste all the smokiness in it, I guess,” Patterson said, impressed with his first visit to the downtown north core festival, after missing out a year ago in the inaugural event.

His buddy, Austin Bour, said he couldn’t resist seeing what all the fuss was about.

When he heard Patterson wasn’t heading to the lake, he convinced his friend to check out the festival instead.

“I love ribs and these are good ribs,” he said. “They’re done really well.”

He’s glad organizers said Sunday there will be a Year 3.

“I think it’s good. I think it’s a great idea the city has come up with,” he said, suggesting the hot-rod showcase might be improved if everyone was allowed to display their vehicles.

“It’s a good set-up. The lines are not too bad, the same you’d wait at a restaurant, so I don’t mind.”

Though final crowd estimates weren’t immediately available, Waterfront District Business Improvement Area president Suzan-Cooper Rochon said Rib Fest was a huge hit once again.

It helped they made a few improvements this time around, she added. They included doubling the number of lines and the addition of local food vendors, selling everything from fresh-squeezed lemonade to burgers and fries.

The local music talent also drew plenty of people to the OLG Casino parking lot, she said.

Of course, the festival does have a competitive element. Each of the four out-of-town ribbers were vying for best sauce and best ribs.

In addition to the people’s choice award, Jack the Ribber earned the judge’s choice for best sauce, while Ribs Royale captured best ribs.
On the local side, Tony and Adams and Gargoyles finished tied for first.

Jack the Ribber’s Randy Austin said it felt awesome to bring home two top prizes.

“Thunder Bay is a great city. You guys love your ribs and I love cooking for you guys,” he said, adding he cooks them until the fall apart on their own.

“I render the fat to the bone to make sure it’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. When they come to my grill they ask me, ‘Are your ribs tender?’ I just pick them up and shake them apart like nothing,” he said promising to return next year.

“I hope I get to swim in your lake too.”