Canada's Largest Ribfest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canada's Largest Ribfest |
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The logo of Canada's Largest Ribfest
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| Begins | 06 September 2021 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Spencer Smith Park, Burlington, Ontario, Canada |
| Inaugurated | 1995 |
| Participants | approx. 175,000 |
| Website | http://www.canadaslargestribfest.com/ |
Canada's Largest Ribfest is a super fun annual food festival! It happens in Spencer Smith Park in Burlington, Ontario, right by the lake. The Burlington Lakeshore Rotary Club puts on this four-day event. They do it to raise money for different charities during the Labour Day weekend.
History of the Ribfest
The very first Ribfest was held by the Burlington Lakeshore Rotary Club in 1996. Back then, it was just called "the Ribfest."
By 2001, the festival had grown quite a bit. It featured ribs from 12 different traveling teams. These teams come from all over to cook their delicious ribs!
In 2004, organizers expected about 150,000 people to attend. They thought visitors would eat a huge amount of ribs, about 36 tonnes! That year, the festival was known as the Maple Leaf Pork Rotary Ribfest.
Around 2009, the Burlington Ribfest got a new name: "Canada's Largest Ribfest." They even got a new logo! In September of that year, 175,000 people came to the festival. There were 18 rib teams, and they cooked 150,000 pounds of ribs. The event also raised about C$320,000 for local charities.
In 2010, the Canadian government helped the Ribfest with C$98,610 in funding. This money came from a special program to support big tourism events.
In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ribfest changed. Instead of a big gathering, it became a "drive-thru" event. People could drive by to pick up their ribs safely.
How the Ribfest Helps the Economy
In 2003, a special study looked at how "Canada's Largest Ribfest" helps the local economy. It found that many visitors, almost half, came from outside Burlington. This means the festival brings new people and money to the area.
The study also showed that almost everyone who visited would tell their friends and family to come too. About 69% of visitors said they would come back again. Overall, people spent about C$1.8 million in the region because of the Ribfest. This money helps local businesses and jobs.
Raising Money for Good Causes
A big part of the Ribfest is raising money for charity. The money collected is given to many local groups, businesses, and hospitals.
Here are some of the organizations that have received funds:
- Scouts Canada
- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (which helps young leaders)
- Scholarships and Bursaries (to help students with school)
- Burlington Teen Tour Band
- Burlington Art Centre
- Salvation Army
- The Carpenter Hospice (a place that cares for people)
- Rotary Music Festival
- Burlington International Games
- Partnership West Food Bank (which helps provide food)
- Joseph Brant Hospital
- Children's Assessment & Treatment Centre
- Habitat for Humanity (which helps build homes)
