17th annual Rotary Ribfest returns to Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough this weekend

Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha family-friendly fundraiser features local and out-of-town food and drink vendors and live music

By kawarthaNOW -
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The 17th annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest runs from July 12 to 14, 2019 at Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough. The event is a fundraiser for Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
The 17th annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest runs from July 12 to 14, 2019 at Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough. The event is a fundraiser for Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)

The 17th annual Rotary Ribfest returns to Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough from Friday, July 12th to Sunday, July 14th.

A fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha, Ribfest features food and beverages from both local restaurants and out-of-town ribbers and vendors.

“Ribfest is three days of live music, delicious food, and cold drinks,” says Terry Guiel, executive director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), which is co-presenting the event.

The annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest is a family-friendly event. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
The annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest is a family-friendly event. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)

“The ribbers are always a big draw and our local restaurants do a great job of showcasing all kinds of food from around the world, including vegetarian options,” Guiel adds. “It’s a fun, family-friendly event.”

Participating local restaurants this year are Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews, BrickHouse Craft Burger Grill, Island Cream Caribbean Cuisine, Caribbean Sizzle, McThirsty’s Pint, La Mesita, and Curry Mantra.

Out-of-town ribbers and food vendors, located along so-called “Ribber’s Row”, include Boss Hogs BBQ, Fat Boy’s BBQ, Smokehouse Bandits, Jack The Ribber, Ontario Corn Roasters, and Summer Fun Funnel Cakes.

Live music runs every afternoon during the three-day fundraising festival. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
Live music runs every afternoon during the three-day fundraising festival. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)

Smithhavens Brewing Company and the Publican House Brewery are local craft brewery sponsors, with Labatt sponsoring the live music stage. Here’s the line-up for live music, which runs all weekend long:

Friday, July 12

  • 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Pat Temple and the HiLo Players
  • 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. – House Brand
  • 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. – Al Black & The Steady Band
  • 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. – The Cadillacs
  • 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Jesse Slack
  • 8:45 – 10:15 p.m. – Lindsay Barr

Saturday, July 13

  • 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. – John Curtis
  • 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. – Water’s Edge
  • 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. – Tonya Bosch
  • 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. – Rye Street
  • 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Rikki Nicks
  • 8:45 – 10:15 p.m. – Weber Brothers

Sunday, July 14

  • 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Latest Version
  • 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. – Sticks ‘n’ Tones
  • 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. – Out on Bail
The 17th annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest takes place at Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13, 2019 and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
The 17th annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest takes place at Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13, 2019 and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission to the festival is free — you just pay for what you eat and drink. All of the funds raised at Kawartha Rotary RibFest go to support humanitarian projects locally and internationally.

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