The sweet smell of barbecue ribs will be wafting over Lake Lauzon beach this Saturday.
The annual Rib Fest, organized by the North Shore recreation committee, is hosting its fifth year with plenty of food and activities taking place culminating with a fireworks display by Sault company Phat Boy in the evening, event coordinator Aline Gagnon told ElliotLakeToday.
The event is being called Grills Gone Wild.
“Our objective is to create community spirit,” she said of Rib Fest, which was originally started by her son Nicolas five years ago, and now includes the recreation committee as its main organizer.
The event has grown substantially from its first year when about 500 people took part and swelled to 1,500 last year. Gagnon expects to match the numbers of people who turn out to taste barbecue ribs being cooked up by 10 teams.
As with any event, organizers have made a few changes for Rib Fest with tickets selling for $2 including a small rib sample with the option for visitors to purchase more. Last year tickets went for $25 with large portions of ribs to try for each ticket holder. With that scenario the ribs sold out within a couple of hours.
At a $2 charge, Gagnon is expecting there will be enough ribs to feed people, “coming from Sudbury and the Soo.”
Some 600 racks of ribs have been purchased locally.
To accommodate the number of people attending, parking is at the North Shore Township office just west of Algoma Mills. Complimentary bus service is also available from four locations in Blind River - the Blind River community centre, WC Eaket school, the town information booth, and Windows, Doors and Kitchens in the Forest Glen subdivision.
Buses will run every 30 minutes with the last bus leaving the event site around 11:00 p.m. to allow people to take part in the day-long events and beer garden (for those 19 and older) at Rib Fest.
Grills Gone Wild Rib Fest gets underway at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 11 p.m.
A wide range of events will take place throughout the day, including a variety of food, particularly ribs, being sold.
All ages will enjoy live entertainment, a bouncy castle, face painting, a volleyball tournament, flyboard show, woodworking, Montreal canoe rides, car show, Strongman show, along with 20 vendors selling an array of wares and food products such as candies.
Gagnon wants to point out that admission to Rib Fest is free for the whole family with visitors only having to pay for food and beverages.
“It’s a great way to celebrate Father’s Day,” she added.
The committee has set up a tent with the barbecuing teams also covered with tents to allow the event to go on rain or shine.
The $2 tickets can be purchased at Barrels of Cookies, Mic’s Kwik-Way and Wilson’s Market and, in Elliot Lake, at NAPA Auto Parts and North Shore Advertising.
Gagnon said the committee wants to thank all event sponsors for their support.