Barbecues evoke feelings of camaraderie and community ““ thus it's no surprise that barbecues are often the means to celebrate Canada Day and the start of our Canadian summer: the Victoria Day long weekend.
As a means to bring a community together, barbecues and in particular barbecue competitions, have great success as Rotary Clubs in Ontario have discovered.
Billed as Canada's largest Ribfest, the Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore this year is celebrating its 17th year of the celebration. Every year, Spencer Smith Park in Burlington, Ontario, welcomes people from all over the world to sample some of the best ribs from some of North America's top “ribbers”. Last year, 152,000 people attended and since its establishment, Ribfest in Burlington has raised more than $2.3 million for local, national and international charities.
This year, the Rotary Club of Trafalgar in Oakville is hosting its inaugural Ribfest on June 22 to 24 at Sheridan College in Oakville. Being mentored by organizers of the Burlington Club, the Oakville chapter is expecting more than 15,000 to attend the weekend-long event featuring international ribbers, celebrity judges, children's village, artists, live entertainment and more.
At Oakville Family Ribfest parking, admission and entertainment are free thanks to the Budds' Group, the event's Platinum Sponsor, along with a growing list of generous corporate sponsors.
“Our Rotary Club wants everyone to be able to come and enjoy themselves at this family event”, explained Rib-Fest Chair, Trish Peden. “We'll ask visitors to consider making a donation at the gate. All donated funds will be contributed by RCOT to the new Oakville Hospital campaign and the many deserving groups our Club supports both here and abroad.”
Oakville Family Ribfest
June 22 to June 24
Sheridan College, Trafalgar Road Campus, 1430 Trafalgar Road, Oakville
oakvillefamilyribfest.com
Canada's Largest Ribfest
August 31 to September 3
Spencer Smith Park, Burlington
canadaslargestribfest.com