“You’ve got live music, beer, ribs, classic cruisers. It’s pretty much a good mix for a happy time.”
Maureen Luoma, executive director of Downtown Sudbury, said this is what someone told her when she asked why Ribfest was such a success.
The 6th annual Downtown Sudbury Ribfest will be held this upcoming Labour Day weekend: Friday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Sept. 1.
“Two weeks from today, this will all look completely different,” said Luoma. “Tents, banners, and ribbers will be all set up. We’ll be smelling the ribs.”
The professional rib team of Jack the Ribber, along with five other professional rib teams, will be cooking heating things up downtown on “Ribber’s Row.” They will be competing for the People’s Choice Award, voted on by the public all weekend long.
While the rib action is going on, those who attend will have a chance to listen to more than 20 local artists perform, along with some pretty special musical guests.
Hells Bells (AC/DC Tribute Band), The Fab Four (Beatles Tribute Band), and Jamie Stever will be shaking up the crowd with their impressive tunes.
Families are encouraged to come out on Saturday and Sunday, as a family and children’s area will be set up. Free wagon rides, bouncing inflatables, face painting, and arts and crafts are sure to entertain.
Ribfest has quickly grown to be one of the largest community festivals in Sudbury, having attracted more than 45,000 people this past year, said Luoma.
“These people come not only from our community, but from all over,” said Luoma.
Jeff MacIntyre, chair of Downtown Sudbury, thanked the thousands of people who come out to Ribfest. “Every year, Ribfest gets bigger, and every year, downtown (Sudbury) is becoming a better place to go.”
Luoma said many people come out for the car show, as well.
“We’ll have 100 or more classic cruisers out,” said Mike Levesque of the Sudbury Classic Cruisers Car Club.
Raffle tickets for a 1965 red mustang convertible will be sold over the weekend.
To top it all off, Chef Corbin from HGTV and the Food Network will be joining Ribfest this year.
“I look forward to meeting Sudbury’s foodies and rib connoisseurs,” said Chef Corbin. “I love talking cooking tips and techniques, and I encourage attendees to come with their questions and kitchen stories.”
Free parking will be available at all municipal lots and meters on the weekend, and at the Energy Court Lot off Lorne Street (behind the old beer store).
