Thanks to construction on the new Francophone arts centre Place des Arts that's expected to start on Elgin Street in August, Downtown Sudbury Ribfest is moving a short distance away for its 11th edition.
Ribfest, which attracts more than 50,000 people, still takes place over the Labour Day long weekend, running Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, with six professional ribbers providing their ribs, pulled pork and chicken.
The new location will be the municipal parking lots at the corner of Minto and Brady streets and behind the Sudbury Arena, as well as Minto Street.
“You probably have all heard, out and about, 'Is there a Ribfest, where is it going to be?' — all kinds of stories,” said Downtown Sudbury executive director Maureen Luoma, speaking at a June 28 press conference.
“Yes, there is a Ribfest, yes it is downtown.”
In past years, Ribfest proceeds have gone to support the Sudbury branch of the Canadian Red Cross, which in turn provides volunteer labour at the festival.
Due to restructuring at the Canadian Red Cross, the organization is no longer able to participate as it has in the past. So YMCA Greater Sudbury has been chosen as the event's new beneficiary.
“At the Y, we make sure no one is turned away due to financial circumstances,” said Nicole Beattie, vice-president of health, fitness and aquatics and camp with YMCA of Northeastern Ontario.
“One in four in all of our participants is supported by the Y to be able to go to camp, learn to swim and act as our membership.
“We're very grateful for the opportunity (to participate in Ribfest as the charity of choice). Thank you very much to this year's selection committee.”
The Friday night of the Ribfest falls on the same night as the Sudbury Wolves' first exhibition game of the season, and with the move, the festival will be right outside the Sudbury Arena, where the game takes place.
Even though the festival will be taking over the arena's parking lot, Sudbury Wolves CEO Scott Lund said it's a “really a great opportunity for the Wolves.”
Festival-goers will also be invited to take in a Sudbury Wolves practice on the Saturday of Ribfest, he said.
