Niagara Falls residents can mark May 22–24 for a return of Ribfest at Firemen’s Park, where admission, live entertainment and a kids zone will be free. The event is coming back under new organizers, with activities for families and partnerships with local charitable groups.
The Stamford Centre Volunteer Firemen’s Association has taken over organization of the festival, Niagara Daily News reported. The move follows uncertainty in recent years about the future of a community event that has been running for more than two decades.
Organizer Mike Sporar said the association wanted to keep Ribfest on the community calendar. Its involvement follows an effort by rib vendor Andrew Reinhardt to maintain the festival last year.
According to Sporar, the Rotary organizers who originally ran Ribfest had faced falling membership and a shortage of people to help put it on. Reinhardt organized last year’s event and approached the volunteer firemen’s association this year about taking responsibility for operations.
Sporar said preparing for this year’s festival has required considerable planning within a short timeframe. He described the response from community members and volunteers as positive.
Barbecue, entertainment and family activities
Barbecue teams Billy Bones and Camp 31 are among the familiar vendors scheduled to take part. Other competitors will also participate in the festival’s rib competition.
Beyond the food vendors, the weekend’s plans include live entertainment, giveaways and community games. A free kids zone is also part of the programme.
Organizers say they want visitors to stay and enjoy the activities at Firemen’s Park, rather than make the event only a stop to buy food. The entertainment and family activities are intended to give people more to do during their visit.
Local groups joining the event
Project Share, No One Goes Hungry and the Fallsview Hose Brigade are among the charities and nonprofit groups partnering with Ribfest this year.
Organizers say those partnerships are intended to give community groups opportunities to raise money while maintaining the charitable role associated with the festival.
The three-day event runs from May 22 through May 24 at Firemen’s Park in Niagara Falls. Admission, entertainment and access to the kids zone are all free.
