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7th annual Rotary Ribfest confirmed a huge success

July 21, 2016   ·   0 Comments

For the seventh year in a row, the annual Orangeville Rotary Ribfest was the highlight of the weekend. With amazing weather, great food and lots of entertainment, the event brought out large crowds ready to chow down on tasty ribs.

“A cool Friday night led into perfect weather for Saturday and Sunday,” wrote the Rotary Club of Orangeville in a press release Tuesday. “The ribs were sizzling, the beer was cold, and the fields behind Alder Street Community Centre were the place to be!”

This year saw over 150 volunteers responsible for keeping Ribfest running smoothly by filling roles such as greeters for guests, cleaning tables, serving beer, and helping manage waste and recycling stations, with the help of Dufferin Waste Services.

Continuing in true Orangeville Ribfest tradition, the event once again broke its attendance records, both on Saturday and Sunday individually, as well as over the weekend as a whole. According to the Rotary Club, more than 20,000 people passed through the gates at Ribfest.

“We don’t know what the final number will be for net funds raised for a while, but we are confident we will meet our targets for Grandpals and Rotary Way,” said the Club.

While last year rain and wind made the Friday night a bit of a struggle, this year the weather co-operated and the event kicked off with several local performers singing O Canada.

Saturday started off a little chilly, but as the clouds rolled away and the sun began to shine, people started to make their way over to the Ribbers and around the midway. In the afternoon, the Rotary Club’s panel of seven Celebrity Judges gathered by the family shade tent to sample ribs and sauces from each of the Ribbers.

Billy Bones BBQ took home the prize for Judges’ Choice Best Ribs this year, while newcomers Hawgs Gone Wild earned the title of Judges’ Choice Sauce. It seems the people were in agreement with the judges this year, as Billy Bones BBQ also took home the trophy for People’s Choice Award.

Another highlight on Saturday was the Ribfest Classic Auto Show, which began shortly after the judging. There were a large variety of vehicles at this year’s show, and all kinds of makes and models. From a 1966 Convertible Ford Mustang to a 2003 Lamborghini Murcielago, there were plenty of drool-worthy vehicles to occupy even the mildest of automotive fans’ time.

Performances on Saturday night wrapped-up the evening with a musical one-two punch, beginning with local legend Larry Kurtz & The Lawbreakers and closing off with local fan-favourite the Campfire Poets.

With even more great weather on Sunday, the entertainment and food kept right on rolling, as attendees enjoyed a mellow start with Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, before continuing on to The Stompin’ Flyers, Old School, and finally The Firecats.

The Ultimutts Stunt Dog show took over the field behind the Ribbers, with three performances that showcased their wonderful dogs, and one spectacular cat.

While the numbers won’t be in officially for a while, as far as what the Rotary Club raised at the event, it’s clear that the popularity of Ribfest continues to grow with each year.

“Thank-you to our many volunteers, our fabulous bands and performers, our sponsors, our ribbers, all the Ribfest vendors, and to you, the citizens of Orangeville, Dufferin County and beyond, for helping to make the 7th annual Rotary Ribfest such a success,” said the Rotary Club.

The eighth Annual Orangeville Rotary Ribfest will take place July 14, 15 and 16, 2017.

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