THUNDER BAY – RibFest is back and it an in-person, walk-up event all over again.
After going the drive-though route last summer, the popular event has returned to its Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds home and the lines started former shortly after the gates were opened at 11 a.m. on Friday, the first of three days of lip-smacking deliciousness.
Organizer Daniel Trevisanutto says it’s great to be back to nearly normal.
“We’re very excited to be back on the grounds of the CLE,” he said. “It means a lot to us to be able to bring it back to an in-person event, where you can walk up, take your ribs, bring them to a picnic table and really bring back that sense of community is all about.
“On top of the ribs we’ve got music going all weekend. We’ve got live bands at night. We have a beer garden, courtesy of Sleeping Giant. We’ve got additional food vendors if ribs aren’t your thing. We’ve got artists in back selling some goods. We think we’ve got all our bases covered.”
Of course, the food the main attraction and three of Canada’s best will be offering up tons of barbecue chicken and pork ribs all weekend long.
Local favourites Daytona’s will be competing against national champion ribbers, Ribs Royale and Dinosaur Smokehouse.
It’s the best of the best, Trevisanutto said.
“I think there’s a spectacle to it. There’s the big trailer and these guys, they do this every single weekend all summer and they know what they’re doing. It’s a real great way to cap off the summer. It’s a big, beautiful barbecue and it’s that sense of community, when everyone comes together. When it’s that mix, that’s when the magic starts to happen,” he said.
The event helps raise money to support Our Kids Count, an organization that provides counselling and a community kitchen, among other programs, to families in need.
Executive director Jackie Knough said it’s their single biggest fundraiser of the year.
“We’re just so excited to be back to in-person. The money raised from this event helps our programs tremendously. We do a lot in the community in terms of parenting support, pre- and post-natal programming, counselling. You name it we have it from children to adults. We have emergency food covered.
“All the money raised at Rib Fest goes to those programs. We have our 50-50 draw. We’re already at $5,200 take-home. We’re hoping to get close to $20,000 this year. Last year we were at $17,000 with the drive-through model.”
Rib Fest, which offers free admission to the grounds, runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
