Ribfest remains finger-licking good for Rotary
While participants were chowing down on pork at the Rotary Ribfest, volunteers were busy making sure the event ran smoothly.
Rotary Ribfest turned 17 this year. The free event is run solely by Rotary volunteers and raises an average of $85,000 for community initiatives each year.
It has become one of Rotary Club of the St. Catharines’ signature fundraisers.
Rotarian Wade Stayzer, who was in charge of the beer tent, said Ribfest has raised more than a million dollars since its inception.
“All the proceeds go right back into the community,” he said. “Where else can you go on a weekend, listen to free music, get in for free, have a couple of drinks and some ribs, and your money is going back to do good things in your community? It’s a pretty cool combination.”
Said festival co-chair Joel Chatterton, “Ribfest is one of the events where you come out, have some ribs, kick back and relax.”
Even St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle was there to help out. Bittle was checking ID’s in the beer tent and handing out wristbands.
Friday was his first time volunteering at the event.
“They asked me to help out and I’m always happy to help out Rotary,” said Bittle, who used to visit Ribfest with his law firm.
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“It’s a great organization and they do great work not only in Niagara but around the world. I’m happy to be a part of this and happy to be in the park and meet with people.”
Chatterton estimated more than 7,000 people attended the opening night of Rotary Ribfest Friday to see The Caverners and Broken Cadence perform.
“It was above average,” he said.
This year’s Ribfest had some changes, including new Florida ribber Hawgs Gone Wild, who replaced Bibbs Texas BBQ.
Chris Duffey, 25, is one of the managers at Hawgs Gone Wild.
“The turnout’s been great so far, they’ve had great bands here, which bring a lot of people, and from what I’ve heard the bands are only going to get better as the weekend continues,” he said.
Ribfest is also recycling more. Eco-Defenders, an organization that separates garbage, recyclables and organics, set up tents this year. The task fell on scouts last year and Rotarians the year before.