THUNDER BAY – The sweet, smoky smell of succulent barbecued ribs will fill the air of the city’s downtown north core for a seventh straight summer.
Organizers with the Waterfront District Business Improvement Association on Wednesday announced Rib Fest will return next month, slated to run between Aug. 24 and Aug. 26 the Gateway Casino parking lot and surrounding streets.
One of Thunder Bay’s most popular events, Rib Fest routinely draws out 25,000 hungry foodies to the downtown area, which has rounded out the entertainment factor with music on stage, an artisan’s alley, plenty of non-rib food vendors and a children’s area.
There’s also the popular cross-fit challenge, the Taranis Excavator Rodeo, the Kub Kar Rally and the Red River Rumble Car and Bike Show, featuring special guest Kevin Mack from the TV series Counting Cars, which will set up along Cumberland Street on Aug. 26. Mack will also be at the festival the day prior.
Jim Comuzzi, head of the Waterfront District BIA, said they had no idea just how much of a success story Rib Fest would become, when it first launched in 2012.
It’s just kept growing, he added.
“We imagined 10,000 or 12,000 people would be our limit. We had 25,000-plus on that weekend. It just kind of threw us aside that we were that successful right out of the gate,” said Comuzzi, owner of Rooster’s Bistro.
“We’ve been growing it every year where we’ve brought in more activities and our partnership the last five years with Our Kids Count has made a world of difference.”
The organization is the main beneficiary of the event, and will take home the proceeds of the 50-50 draw.
Event chair Gladys Berringer, the executive director of Our Kids Count, said Rib Fest is their major fundraiser for the year, adding they hope to bring in $50,000 in 2018.
All four ribbers who took part in last year’s event are scheduled to return this summer, which bodes well for hungry festival goers in search of the country’s best barbecue.
“Between the ribs and the smell of the food and the smoke you see, it’s awesome to see what’s going on,” Berringer said.
“And of course there’s the famous beer garden for people that want to have that little cool refreshment while they’re down here.”
Best of all, as always there is no charge to attend Rib Fest – though if you’re hungry you might want to stuff a few bills in your pocket to sample the wares.
For the full event schedule, visit www.ribfesttbay.com.
