Mississauga Ribfest About to Kick Off in Brand New Location
Published July 10, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Summer is here and all the requisite food festivals are about to kick off (if they haven’t happened already).
One of the most highly-anticipated food festivals?
The annual Amacon Rotary Ribfest Mississauga.
While meat lovers are no doubt exciting about the festivities–which are set to run from July 12 – 15–they should note that this year will be a little different, as there’s going to be change in venue.
Earlier this year, following a debate about whether or not Ribfest can continue to charge admission to a Celebration Square event, organizers announced that they would be moving the festival to Port Credit Memorial Park.
“The Rotary Club of Mississauga and The Rotary Club of Mississauga West are excited about the upcoming Mississauga Rotary Ribfest move to the stunning waterfront at Memorial Park. We look forward to bringing this long standing successful fundraiser to the Port Credit area and being part of that vibrant community. We are committed to providing a green event that contributes locally and attracts tourism to the area. I can’t wait to enjoy some music, food and fun while we raise money to support the many community groups in Mississauga that benefit from the event,” Hart said in a previous statement to insauga.
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The Amacon Mississauga Rotary Ribfest has been happening for 14 years. For four days, diners get access to various meats (mostly ribs, of course) from rib trucks that come from across North America to serve people in Mississauga and beyond.
This year’s event will be ticketed (much like its last two years at Celebration Square were during the admission pilot project), so attendees can pay $2 per individual or $5 per family. Rotary says the proceeds will go to local charities.
Attendees can also purchase $20 or $35 VIP passes that offer a number of perks, including access to White Oak VIP area, a fast rib pass that will let diners bypass lines, access to VIP washrooms and more.
As far a vendors go, ribbers set to attend this year’s event include Camp 31, Sticky Fingers BBQ & Company, Bibb’s Texas BBQ, Gator BBQ, Billy Bones BBQ, Blazin’ BBQ and more. While ribs will obviously be the main event, organizers say there are some vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free dishes available.
There will also be live entertainment, including performances from Irene Torres and the Sugar Devils, Argues, Chuck Jackson and the All Stars and more.
Since this year’s event won’t be held in the Square One area, organizers are offering a shuttle service. According to the event website, the shuttle will pick up attendees at Princess Royal, just north of City Hall, and drop them off right at the Port Credit Arena at Stavebank.
The bus will be running every hour on Thursday and Friday until 5:00 p.m. After that, attendees can jump on the shuttle every half an hour during the event until it wraps up on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Last year’s Ribfest drew in over 67,000 attendees and raised some $129,000. In 2016, Ribfest raised $150,000. Overall, about $1.1 million has been raised for charity from this event.
For more information on the event, click here.
Will you be checking out Ribfest in its brand new location?
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