‘Canada’s Largest Ribfest’ in Burlington has food, fun, fundraising

Twenty-nine years ago, it made less than a thousand dollars. This year? Canada’s Largest Ribfest in Burlington is expected to pull in $300,000 for local charities.

The Burlington-Lakeshore Rotary Club has been hosting this rib extravaganza for close to 30 years, with proceeds going to local charities in the area.

There are rides and enough grass to feed your dinosaur but, most people come for the ribs.

“I love ribs. My mom calls me her little carnivore. When I was young, they would always be like, ‘What do you want for birthday dinner?’ It would always be ribs.”

“I mean, who doesn’t love tender delicious ribs?”

“Hard to imagine 29 years ago there were only a couple of rib teams here, made less than a thousand dollars and over the course of 29 years, we’ve raised $6 million,” says Brent Paszt, the co-chair of Canada’s Largest Ribfest.

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The Burlington-Lakeshore Rotary Club uses those dollars to fund programs at local hospitals, school food programs and even student scholarships.

Organizers say it’s not just for ribs over the course of the 4 day event.

“We get a lot of people in for the game, enjoy the Tiger Cats beating the Argos and come back to Ribfest to celebrate that win,” Paszt says.

Not a bad way to celebrate labour day.

“This is one of the best, it’s one of the originals. It’s a good show. Burlington is a great city,” says Matthew Smith, the owner of Gator Barbecue.

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Gator Barbecue has been coming to Ribfest for 25 years. They say their secret to the perfect rack of ribs is under lock and key but did give up this.

“We have a really base type sauce so you can add a lot to it, you can spice it up,” Smith says.

There are 16 pit crews looking to win top prize for their gorgeous grilled creations.. that prize? Bragging rights.

“We’ve been here since the very beginning. My great grandaddy started Ribfest up here with the Rotary Club of Burlington and we’ve been coming every year since,” says Jaime Williams, the Pit Master for Camp 31.

The judging takes place on Sunday and a winner is announced but the party keeps going until Labour Day Monday at 7 p.m.

And organizers claim their ribs are lucky for the Ticats.

“Come on down, pre game, load up on ribs and you can go down and they’re gonna eat ’em raw,” Paszt says.

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