Masters of their grill serve up award winning ribs all weekend at Ribfest

All four rib trucks have arrived, the fencing, tables, chairs, and tents are set up, the entertainment area is technically sound, and the kid's zone is ready for Saturday and Sunday. The only thing missing from the 6th annual Voyageur Ribfest in North Bay, is you.

“We take the time to make sure that every ‘i’ is dotted and ‘t’ is crossed. Because we’ve done it for six years, we kind of have it down to a science, but at the same time it makes you a little nervous that you might have forgotten something,” said Geoff Richardson festival coordinator and one of the owner’s of the Voyageur.

Award-winning ribbers will be serving up their smokin’ hot, finger-lickin' good ribs, smothered in their mouth-watering secret sauce all weekend long, starting late Friday afternoon. 

“Only two of the rib trucks were here last year. Last year we had Jack the Ribber and Route 55, they’re both back this year. This year we’re adding Fat Albert’s ribs, and a new one that has never been here before which is called Smokehouse Bandits out of London.”

The J. Houston band kicks off a weekend of live music, Friday night at 5 pm. 

“Our headliner on Saturday is Shania Live! She’s one of the best Shania Twain tribute artists in North America, and we’re really excited to have her. She goes on at 9 pm and I can’t wait. Sunday the music starts again at noon with some open mic performers and the results of the rib-judging that took place Saturday.  There are lots of demos Sunday. We have a kids zone going on from noon to 4 pm both days. And we have a huge 20 x 20 paddle boat bumper car set up and it’s full of water and of course more music.”

Most of the live entertainment is from the North Bay area.

“We do have a couple of out of town bands. They certainly don’t come for the money I can tell you that,” laughed Richardson.

“They come to help make our festival that much better for Community Living who we are trying to raise money for. We donate any proceeds that we could generate. It’s free admission but people are free to donate on their way in, and a lot of people do. Over the past five years, we’ve raised over $30,000 for Community Living.”

Community Living North Bay provides services and supports to people who have intellectual disabilities and their families in North Bay and surrounding area.

Ribfest draws thousands of people every year.