NO BONES ABOUT IT
Ribfest attracts crowds at K-Days
The Ribfest is back for another messy year on the Klondike Days grounds.
Three vendors from across Canada can be found hooting and hollering with the crowd, offering ribs and a variety of barbecue favourites: Prairie Smoke & Spice BBQ, based out of Regina, Sask.; Boss Hogs BBQ, based out of London, Ont.; and Gator BBQ, based out of Port Dover, Ont.
We paid a visit Sunday to some of the vendors and K-Days guests getting their rib on.
The first stop was Prairie Smoke & Spice, back at K-Days after a year hiatus, co-owner Mataraca Ashcroft said.
After the slow start Friday because of the rain, she said they have started to pick up.
The Ribfest adds to the carnival experience in a unique way, Ashcroft said, because it’s like another show.
“We’re yelling, we’re talking to the crowd. We’re making jokes with them,” she said.
Jasmine Monaghan and Micheal Monaghan were nearby with their seven-year-old son Orion indulging in a Prairie Platter from the vendor featuring ribs, beef brisket, chicken and coleslaw.
“I normally don’t eat meat, but I’m a big fan of brisket,” Jasmine Monaghan said.
She said she’s making an exception for K-Days.
It was their first time visiting the Ribfest after looking to try something new.
“It’s sit-down, it’s not eating on the go,” she said.
“And it’s different.” Taking advantage of this opportunity as they do every year at KDays were Taylor Scott and Taylor Sherbank, who were chowing down on the beef ribs from Boss Hogs.
“They’re really good, this year we did it right,” Scott said.
Not far away, Boss Hogs BBQ could be heard chanting “Another full rack!” as an order comes in.
“We think it’s an entertainment package,” owner Tom Diavolitsis said.
“It makes it fun for us and at the same time we have these chants so we can entertain the public as well and it just gives them a little bit more.”
He said the Ribfest is a great addition to a carnival because it provides a different type of food option that isn’t common.
“How often can you have traditional smoked barbecue — anywhere?” he said.
I normally don’t eat meat, but I’m a big fan of brisket ... It’s sit-down, it’s not eating on the go. And it’s different. JASMINE MONAGHAN