One of Ontario’s biggest barbecue festivals returns to Mississauga

One of Mississauga’s biggest summer food events is returning this July with a lineup of award-winning ribbers, dozens of food options, live entertainment and a mission to support local charities.

The Mississauga Rotary Ribfest will take over Erin Mills Town Centre from July 10 to 12, bringing three days of smoky barbecue, family fun and community spirit to the city.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Mississauga and Rotary Club of Mississauga West, the annual festival will feature seven ribbers serving up ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken, sausages and other barbecue favourites for hungry visitors.

This year’s ribber lineup includes Gator BBQ, Sticky Fingers BBQ & Company, Billy Bones BBQ, Camp 31, Uncle Sam’s BBQ Stand, Crabby’s BBQ Shack and Hawgs BBQ Gone Wild.

Along with the barbecue favourites, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of other food and drink options, including Rei do Churrasco, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Drink from a Fruit, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, Holy Batter Italian Ice Cream, Alabama Lemonade, B&D Fries, Ontario Corn Roaster, Pappy’s Soda, Bloomin Onion, Jusdan Food Mini Donut, Spanish Desserts Churros and CJ’s Concession Funnel Cake.

Beyond the food, Ribfest will feature live music and entertainment throughout the weekend, creating a family-friendly atmosphere for visitors of all ages.

The festival will run Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, July 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Erin Mills Town Centre, located at 5100 Erin Mills Pkwy. in Mississauga.

Admission is $3 per person, cash only, while children five and under can attend for free. The last entry each day will be 30 minutes before closing. Service animals with proper documentation are welcome, but pets are not permitted inside the event.

While Ribfest has become known as a must-visit destination for barbecue lovers, organizers say the event is about much more than ribs.

The festival is a 100 per cent volunteer-run, not-for-profit event organized by the Rotary clubs to raise money for important community causes. All proceeds from admissions, sponsorships and donations go back into the community.

A major beneficiary is the Trillium Health Partners Foundation, which helps fund leading-edge, lifesaving equipment for the new Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital. Funds also support youth programs, scholarships, food banks, shelters and international humanitarian initiatives.

Since its launch, Mississauga Rotary Ribfest has raised more than $2.1 million for charitable causes, with the event generating an average of about $100,000 each year.

Organizers say the festival’s success is made possible by the volunteers, sponsors, vendors and community members who come together each summer.

For those looking to combine great food with a good cause, Mississauga Rotary Ribfest remains one of the city’s signature summer traditions.