A mouth-watering event is ready to serve up delicious food and fun for the whole family.
After a nine-year absence, Rotary Rib Fest is back in Timmins starting today (Friday, Aug. 23), with ribs, chicken, and a foam party starting off the weekend.
The event runs from Aug. 23 to 25, from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Mountjoy Historical Conservation Area (Participark) on Riverside Drive.
Organizer Andres Rochon said it’s good to have the event back and many people have been asking when this would happen.
“The time felt right,” he said.
Jack the Ribber, Route 55 and Texas Jack's are getting their smokers going and mixing up their sauces. All three booths will be offering ribs and chicken with their signature sauces.
For those who might not want to enjoy the barbecue, there are several other food vendors on site, including hot dogs and hamburgers.
There is more than just the ribs on site for the weekend.
There is live music throughout the weekend, with the main stage show on Saturday featuring Coldwater at 6 p.m., Shaftmen at 8 p.m., and Failed Attempt taking the stage at 10 p.m.
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“We want this to be a great event for the people of Timmins,” said Rochon. “We want people to enjoy the music and, of course, the ribs, and when we know it’s working, we’ll grow.”
While the parking lot at the entrance to the bridge is closed to the public, there is additional parking off Park Avenue, and the city has opened a pedestrian underpass below the Mattagami Bridge, so the event is accessible from the Mountjoy Farmers' Market parking lot.
Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Timmins-Porcupine have been working hard to put the event together, and Rochon said they’re hopeful the event will help them help the community.
The club has donated to the Timmins and District Hospital’s breast wellness clinic, the renovations to the emergency department, and many other local events and projects. The proceeds from Ribfest will go toward that work.
While Rib Fest is the club’s largest event of the year, it also handles Lobster Fest and Beer for a Year raffles.
