Ribfest returns in Sudbury at a new location in Bell Park
After a two-year hiatus, Ribfest Sudbury is back for Labour Day weekend.
The popular event is at a new location in Bell Park and is being presented by a new operator. This year's festival will feature five professional rib teams.
This long weekend there is also live music including an AC/DC cover band, a vendors village and activities for kids.
"Ribfest is huge in Sudbury," said Kelsey Cutinello, owner of KC Events and Promotions.
"I have always been a fan. I have always come to the event. When I heard that it wasn't going to happen any longer and Tom from Boss Hog's approached me to pick up the ball, it seemed like a no-brainer and so far, so good."
Ribfest has been smoking and grilling in Sudbury for the past 12 years. It's always taken place downtown and was put on by the Downtown Sudbury BIA. It changed locations this year to Bell Park near the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre.
"I think the new location is going to be bigger and better than ever," said Tom Diavolitsis, the operator of Boss Hog's BBQ.
"For one, it's licensed. Previously at the BIA there was only a beer tent so you kind of had to wait in line to get ribs, wait in line to get tickets and you wait in line to get in the beer tent. Sometimes, it was just always lines. Here it's wide open."
Teams compete to take home the bragging rights for the best ribs.
"Everyone that purchases food at the rib trucks during this weekend, they report to our info tent and they can vote for their favourite -- people's choice is what we are calling it," said Cutinello.
Teams have their own secret ingredients.
"My secret's very, very simple. It's the rub, the love and the God above," said Diavolitsis.
Ricki Kefalidis of Crabby's BBQ Shack said preparing the ribs is a special craft. The team is the 2019 defending champs and aim to take the title again.
"We are just here doing what we love behind the barbecue in the smokers," said Kefalidis.
"We are bringing all the love, and the rub and all the heat. It's just great to have the community out again."
Organizers said in 2019 more than 50,000 people attended Ribfest. A portion of the proceeds will support two local charities, the YMCA and the Downtown Clean Up Program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.