Rotary Ribfest.
Danielle Verman serves up hot and spicy ribs during the Scarborough Rotary Ribfest last August. The festival in Thomson Park returns this coming weekend and will feature ribs, musical acts and midway rides.
Staff file photo/BEN NELMS
"It's probably about the largest community even in Scarborough right now with about 100,000 people expected over the weekend," said Gary MacGregor, event co-chair and director of the Rotary Club of Scarborough.
Ribbers are prepping their grills and perfecting their sauces in anticipation of the ninth annual Scarborough Rotary Ribfest.
The saucy spectacle is taking place from Friday, July 30 to Monday, Aug. 2 in Thomson Memorial Park, at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Brimley Road. Scarborough's Ribfest has been growing in popularity since it began in 2002 and this year's will be bigger and better than ever, organizers say.
"It's probably about the largest community even in Scarborough right now with about 100,000 people expected over the weekend," said Gary MacGregor, event co-chair and director of the Rotary Club of Scarborough.
"It's nice to see because it's a whole cross section of Scarborough. You'll see every race, religion, creed and colour and they are all getting along just fine, sharing tables and eating ribs in this fun, family community event."
The four days of finger-licking festivities boasts 11 rib cooking teams, or ribbers, who are competing against each other for accolades. The focus will be a variety of pork and beef ribs but chicken will also be offered along with a variety of other food vendors.
For those lacking in appetite, Ribfest has a main stage with all-day entertainment, carnival rides and has brought in a selection of craft and corporate vendors.
"It's an experience just to go to the Ribfest and see it all," said MacGregor.
All proceeds from this free event are going back into programs run by the Rotary Club, which include future community events and international initiatives, like fighting to eleminate polio.
After spending countless hours planning, since last November, all 16 board members and 200 volunteers are hoping Ribfest 2010 will be a great success.
"The one thing we can't control is the weather, but the forecast looks pretty good. Sunny with bits of cloud all four days, with temperatures in the mid 20s," said MacGregor.
More information can be found at www.scarboroughribfest.com.