Crowds showing up for Sault Rotaryfest and Ribfest
Organizers of this year's Rotaryfest and Ribfest say the event is off to a busy start despite a change in venue and a scaling back of the usual activities due to the pandemic.
For example, the live concert is a drive-in event while Ribfest is adopting a drive-thru model.
Despite the move from Clergue Park downtown to the former Lowe's parking lot on Northern Avenue, organizers said both events are going well.
"Everybody is pretty pleased," said Rotaryfest chair Rod Goodall. "We've had nothing but positive input, and many people literally stopping us and saying thanks for putting this together."
Goodall said this year's drive-thru version of Ribfest also seems to have caught on.
"Steady flow, both of our ribbers, professional crews, they put through a tremendous number of cars and they're really happy," he said. "They like to be busy, and we like them to be busy, too."
Two ribbers are taking part in this year's Ribfest, and diners can get their barbeque fix from Silver Bullet BBQ or Billy Bones BBQ.
Carter Niklaus, pit master for Silver Bullet BBQ, said he's pleased with the turnout so far.
"Silver Bullet wasn't able to come to Sault Ste. Marie last year and since we've been here, it's just been nothing but great times and great business," said Niklaus.
At Billy Bones BBQ, pit master Mike Brunton said he's happy to be back in the Sault.
"Sault Ste. Marie's always so kind to us," says Brunton. "We love the way they put it on, they're always so organized. We love the people here."
Both ribbers are engaged in a friendly competition to decide who makes the best ribs, with each providing the tangible and intangible ingredients in their respective recipes.
"Each rack starts off individually hand-rubbed with our signature Texas-style spices," said Niklaus. "Slow smoked in our smoker for four hours using cherry wood and then grilled over an open charcoal flame and carmelized to perfection using our sweet peppercorn-based sauce."
"We put our heart into everything," said Brunton. "That's what it's all about -- it's about peace, love and ribs. We cook them nice and slow with our nice cherry wood. And from start to finish, we just put a tonne of effort into it and it seems to work out well for us."
Rotaryfest organizers are pleased with the crowd that came out for Thursday night's drive-in concert. And they're expecting more of the same for the weekend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.