Thunder Bay’s RibFest will have a new home this year because of the vaccination campaign.
The festivities, which are usually held at CLE grounds, will be a drive-thru format at the Lakehead University parking lot. Organizers did consider a walk up event, but decided to go back to the drive thru with ongoing uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic.
Daniel Trevisanutto is a partner with the Half-Way Motors group and is involved with RibFest.
“We originally approached them a while back. Lakehead University has a fantastic grounds here that provides us with a lot of benefits,” Trevisanutto praised. “If we look around there’s a huge parking lot here, and on top of it when we do the entrance from Oliver Road we can have a really long lineup. Last year at the CLE it worked well but we had to block off Northern Avenue and we ended up with a lineup down Fort William Road.”
Two out of city ribbers, Dinosaur Smokehouse and Ribs Royal, will be returning this year.
Daytona’s has competed in the rib competition before and will be represent Thunder Bay.
“I was extremely excited,” said Owner John Collins. “We got the call and from day one we were on board. I was really honoured to be asked.”
The event will still be in support of Our Kids Count, a local group that fosters the health and development of youth.
Collins believes Daytona’s will have the best ribs, but knows there’s more to the event then that.
“I think all the ribs are going to be great,” remarked Collins. “And the profits going to Our Kids Count means they’re going to be big the winners, it’s not going to be one of the three ribbers. It’s going to be Thunder Bay’s Our Kids Count and the kids.
The event will run between August 26-29.
