Ajax Ribfest is returning to Ajax Downs Casino next weekend, with three days of barbecue, live music and family activities that double as the Rotary Club of Ajax's biggest fundraiser of the year.
The event runs June 5 to 7 at 50 Alexander's Crossing, and admission is free, with donations accepted at the gate, boringnews.ca reported.
Six professional rib teams will be cooking on site: Uncle Sams, Billy Bones, Camp 31, Boss Hogs, Sneaky Petes and Blazin BBQ. Organizers describe them as some of the most popular touring ribbers on the circuit.
Beyond ribs, the grounds will host more than 30 food and craft vendors, along with beverages from local breweries including Whitby's Brock Street Brewery.
Weekend schedule
Gates open Friday, June 5 from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Live music is scheduled throughout the weekend, and families can expect a kids carnival along with up-close reptile displays from Reptilia, the Ontario reptile zoo and education company.
Decades of local giving
Proceeds from the event support hundreds of local groups and organizations across Ajax and the surrounding area. For nearly 70 years, Rotary Club of Ajax volunteers have donated more than $1 million to local causes, funding everything from hospital equipment and youth programs to food security initiatives, according to the report.
The 2024 edition of Ribfest drew more than 35,000 visitors, making it one of the town's largest community gatherings. With free entry and a full weekend of programming, this year's event is expected to draw a similar crowd to the Ajax Downs grounds.
Organizers say full details, including the entertainment lineup, are available on the official Ajax Rotary Ribfest website.
