Rotary Ribfest returns to Montebello Park
Rotary Club of St. Catharines is preparing for a long weekend of food, fun and fundraising.
Ribbers will be taking over Montebello Park Friday to Monday for St. Catharines Rotary Ribfest. The four-day event is a summer tradition for the Rotary Club and community at large, said event chair Serge Paquin.
“This is always one of the biggest events on our calendar,” he said. “This is one of our two major fundraisers, raising about half the funds we support the community with each year.”
This marks the 17th year of the event, and while it has evolved over the years, one thing has remained the same — community is key, with all proceeds going right back into the community, Paquin said.
As the local Rotary Club closes in on the $1.5-million mark in terms of fundraising, the event has always focused in giving back to community causes, from right here in Niagara, to Rotarysupported initiatives across the globe.
“Our club alone has donated about $230,00 over the past couple of years to dozens of organizations,” said Paquin, noting it has included arts initiatives such as FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, health-related causes such as Niagara Children’s Centre, Niagara Health and Pathstone Mental Health, and community projects such as Rotary Park. It supports international projects that focus on providing clean drinking water, building schools and improving literacy.
Of course, providing good food and family entertainment has also been a consistent focus. While there are a couple of new ribbers this weekend, many of the seven will be familiar from past years, including Niagarabased Billy Bones and Bone Daddy BBQ.
“We have them back year after year because of the success we have,” said Paquin. “They have been fantastic partners, with top-quality food options.”
There will also be a variety of other foods, drinks, vendors, a kids area and entertainment. Headliners throughout the weekend include Jonesy on Friday at 8 p.m., Vinyl Flux Saturday at 8 p.m., The Associates Sunday at 8 p.m. and The Howling Horns at 5 p.m. Monday.
Admission is free to the celebration, but donations are accepted at the gate. Public parking lots and on-street parking is available within walking distance from the Ontario Street venue.
For more information on the event, visit www.stcatharinesribfest.com. There is a $3 off coupon for the purchase of any half-rack dinner at any ribber on Friday between noon and 5 p.m.