Any way you slice it, Sydney’s first ever Rotary RibFest will likely go down as a smoking success.
“This was the epic event of the summer,” says attendee Joel Carleton. “This should be an annual thing.”
People lined up despite rainy weather for the finale of the three-day meat-lover’s event.
Their appetites were so insatiable, some vendors started running out of ribs.
“The people of Sydney have basically almost cleaned us out,” says vendor Greg Brunton.
People of all ages came out to try the different variety of ribs, including Jane Ernest, who is a great-grandmother.
“I could probably eat them under the table,” she says.
Organizers say more than one ton of ribs was sold over the weekend, and the initial goal of 10,000 people through the gates more than doubled.
“As of last night, we had 20,000 people here,” says Sara Salter-Burke, co-chair of the event. “And look at today- people are lined up. They’re here and it’s overcast.”
Organizers say it is a near-guarantee RibFest will return next year.
“I would say we’re at 99 per cent, 100 per cent we can guarantee you we will be back,” says Salter-Burke.
Consumers this year say they plan on making a return.
“I’d be in line right now,” says Carleton. “Let’s go. I’m ready.”
“We just love having these kind of events here,” says Ernest. “Just wonderful for us all.”
There’s still the matter of which vendors will be crowned Sydney’s RibFest’s best.
“I believe we’ve got a really good shot,” says vendor Greg Brunton. “We won People’s Choice in Halifax a couple of weeks ago. We won People’s Choice in Moncton last week. So we’re gonna go for the hattrick.”
Proceeds from the event go to hospice and palliative care.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald
