Fort Frances council delays decision on support for new food festival

Fort Frances council will decide later this month if they will support a new RibFest event.

An unnamed consortium of cross-Canada touring rib trucks approached the town last fall to see if the community was interested in hosting a three-day food festival.

The event, hailed as Ribs on the Rainy, would feature three trucks connected to the tour, live entertainment, and a local vendors market, along with other activities such as games, rides, and contests.

The group wants the event held in later September, but near dates the locally-organized Burger Wars set for a return to last year’s highly successful event.

The town is also being asked for $15,000 in sponsorship money, another $5,000 in contigency support.

Councillor Bill Morrison is concerned with that ask.

“If we do open up to pay for what they’re asking here then it might set a precedent for every other event that comes, next year for Burger Wars. Would we be able to give them $15,000 to set up, or anybody else that has something?, questions Morrison.

Morrison is also concerned about the impact on Burger Wars, and other area events scheduled for the same month.

Burger Wars organizers recently announced plans to postpone this year’s event, stating on social media that while flattered by other organizations that were interested in hosting food-related festivals, the time-slot considered would create conflicts with vendors, sponsors and volunteers.

It opted to postpone until 2027.

Councillor John McTaggart says while he supports the rib food festival, he is concerned it is coming at the expense of Burger Wars.

“I have just a concern that we’ve stopped something that was very successful last year from repeating again this year and bringing in RibFest,” says McTaggart.

“I want to bring in events, economic development and spin-off benefits and all that. The more we have, the better we are,” adds Councillor Mike Behan.

“It’s just unfortunate that it just conflicted right away. Instead of being complimentary, they’re conflicting and that’s causing some hard feelings.”

Community Services Manager Craig Miller feels there is enough support in the community to have both events.

“Most people that I’ve spoken to have indicated that, burgers and ribs are obviously two different foods and they tend to eat out at least once a week, so they would probably go both to Burger Wars and Rib Fest,” says Miller.

Council tabled a decision until after having further discussions with the organizers of Burger Wars.

The issue is expected to come back before council at their next meeting.