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Ribfest

Ribs on the Rainy Sept 2026 (4)

Ribs on the Rainy hailed a success, organizers looking to next year

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Expect Ribs on the Rainy to be back.

Last weekend’s first-ever Ribfest in Fort Frances attracted more than 4,000 people over the three days.

The event features three food trucks from outside the community that specialize in ribs and participate in similar events across Canada.

Committee member Catrina Caira considers it a huge success.

“Everyone on the team definitely has ideas for how we can improve it for next year, but we are very, very happy with the reception and how the weekend went,” says Caira.

The event was held near the Sorting Gap Marina and included vendors, kids’ activities and entertainment, along with the food.

Ribs on the Rainy in Fort Frances, September 2026. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia News

“Vendors were very happy. They did well. The rib trucks were also quite happy,” notes Cairo.

There were some glitches.

For example, some other food trucks and the bouncy castles for the kids failed to show because of mechanical issues that prohibited them from getting to the site.

Otherwise, community response so far has been positive.

Caira says the organizing committee will gather soon to talk about the event and put the wheels in motion for next year’s event.

“We’re going to be having some meetings to go over what we learned from this year and make notes about how to improve it for next year,” says Caira.

“The next phase after that will be figuring out when we’re holding it next year and potentially starting to secure sponsorships.”

Another fall date is likely, but one that avoids potential conflicts with other events.

Ribs on the Rainy in Fort Frances, September 2026. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia News
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Award-winning Ribbers back in Yarmouth for Ribfest

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Pack some napkins, because the Yarmouth Rotary Ribfest returns for another year of family fun.

This year’s edition will have all the staples community members have come to love, like live music, cold drinks, a bouncy castle, award winning pulled pork, chicken, sides and of course, ribs.

The festival is being held on the grounds of the Mariner’s Centre, at 45 Jody Shelley Drive, and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission is free, but donations are encouraged, with proceeds from the event going to the Rotary Club of Yarmouth.

Parking is $2 per vehicle to park on festival grounds, and the funds will be collected by and go directly to the Yarmouth Ground Search and Rescue team.

Five professional Ribbers from across the country will be on site, but be aware that the vendors on site are cash only. 

person barbecuing meat

Ribfest returns, partners with Hub City Motorcycle Rally

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Ribbers and riders will converge on Moncton this week.

Ribfest returns from June 18 to 21, and the Hub City Motorcycle Rally begins on June 19 and runs until June 21.

Previously, Ribfest was hosted by the Greater Moncton Rotary Club for 11 years. In 2025, the organization decided it would be its last.

RELATED: Rotary Club stepping back from annual Ribfest event

RELATED: Search underway for new host for Moncton Ribfest

“So the city wanted this event to continue. Obviously, we all know how popular it was. So it’s still a non-profit event. We’re still going to be working with local charities to help make this a community-building and give back event,” Event Coordinator Robert Gallant told our newsroom.

Assumption Boulevard will be shut down on Friday and Saturday, and that’s where the motorcycles will be parked for the big show and shine as a part of the downtown event.

“We’ll share the rest of the space, so there’ll be some vendors for things like motorcycle-related stuff, craft vendors, and of course, the big attraction is our food vendors. The ribbers and some of the usual suspects who are there with them, selling from the Tater King to the Lemonades, all that kind of stuff,” Gallant added.

One of the previous motorcycle festivals held years ago was tied with Ribfest, and Gallant said it went very well.

“Since we were already going to be starting a new motorcycle event, the city approached us, and felt we could bring them together. It was a good fit in the past,” Gallant explained.

Ribfest and the Hub City Motorcycle Rally are expected to attract motorcyclist enthusiasts from all across the Maritimes, New England, and Quebec, who will explore and enjoy the southeast New Brunswick area.

Motorcycle enthusiasts will also take part in a road rally poker run, with a couple of routes. One goes through the Fundy region, and the other is the Acadian route.

“We’ll be working with rally stop partners, so whether it’s corner stores, restaurants, tourist attractions, where our people can stop, and that’s where they’ll get their poker check-in kind of thing, and to be part of it, so make it something fun but also really get people to explore the region,” Gallant said.

Ribfest will continue to be free access to the public. The cost involved will be to purchase your ribs, and there will be a beer garden on site, along with a 50/50. This event traditionally attracts around 20, 000 rib fans each year.

“We’ll have live music again, with local artists entertaining the crowds for parts of each day. We want to continue that legacy and keep it as a strong attraction for Moncton,” Gallant added.

More details can be found on the Ribfest Moncton website or the Hub City Motorcycle Rally website.

brown and white plastic container on black and brown chocolate cake

Fort Frances council okays Ribfest & financial support

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Ribs will replace burgers this September in Fort Frances.

Town council is throwing their support behind a Ribfest food festival after learning that the organizers of Burger Wars have decided to postpone it until next year, thereby avoiding a potential conflict in schedules.

The town is committing $15,000 in sponsorship and another $5,000 in contingency support for the event.

Councillor Mike Behan, who supports the Ribfest event, is still disappointed by how the issue played out.

“I’m sorry that one group has been disappointed over all this,” says Behan.

“My understanding is that the Ribfest came to us with the only date they had available, and that’s why we had to choose that date. I’m conflicted with what the Burger Wars had planned previously. We want to make sure all these events complement each other, not compete with each other.”

Organizers of Burger Wars do plan to return in 2027 on a date that does not conflict with others.

Mayor Andrew Hallikas also supports the event and sees benefits to the town’s investment.

“I like the idea that it’s gonna be a recurring festival,” says Hallikas.

“Some of the money will be spent on reasonable assets that can be used for the festival in the future and other festivals. And I really liked the idea of the fact that there’s going to be people, consultants with the RibFest who are experts (and will) teach our employees and other committee employees about how to successfully promote some of these events.”

Town officials are also hoping to obtain other sponsorship and grants so that the event becomes self-sufficient in the future.

Any profits will be put into the reserve account for the museum.

The planning for this year’s event is still in the early stages, with further details about the event to be released later in the year.

a rack of ribs cooking on a grill

Ribbers and riders return to Moncton

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Ribfest is returning to Moncton!

It will help kick off the summer season in Riverfront Park from June 18 to 21, along with the inaugural Hub City Motorcycle Rally.

Ribfest features award-winning ribbers from across North America, along with other food vendors, entertainment and local artisans.

The Hub City Motorcycle Rally marks the return of a large-scale motorcycle gathering in Moncton. It will include a riverfront vendor village, scenic regional rides, and interactive activities designed to showcase the region’s attractions.

The Rotary Club previously ran the popular free summer event, but announced in 2025 that it would be its last.

Ribfest 2026 will continue the tradition of giving back to the community, ensuring this successful event not only entertains but also supports local causes and initiatives that benefit Moncton residents.  More details on the chosen charities will be announced in the coming days.