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Plenty to do at Oakville's Ribfest, June 26-28 by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene 31 | Friday, June 12, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Whether it's the ribs, food vendors or entertainment, local families keep coming in droves to the annual Co-operators Oakville Family Ribfest. Last year, more than 36,000 people attended the free summer festival organized by the Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar (RCOT), according to Ribfest chair Trish Peden. She says organizers are expecting 50,000 people to attend this year's Ribfest, which runs from June 26-28 at Sheridan College, 1430 Trafalgar Rd. "I've heard this from many people -- people love the fact that it's a family event... there's so much for the families to do and I think that's what they're looking for," Peden said. "It's that type of event where there's something for everybody. I think that's why we see people coming back Friday, Saturday and Sunday, because they want to spend time at all the different things. "It's so diverse. It's in the heart of Oakville, very easy to get to... a feel good event. You can have fun and know that all the money is going back to Oakville." All proceeds from Ribfest supports local Rotary projects, community charities, student bursaries and the RCOT's international work, such as providing clean water wells, polio vaccinations, and mosquito netting to prevent the spread of malaria to countries in need. While there is free parking nearby and Oakville Transit has a stop right at the gate, parking at Sheridan is $10. However, Peden says the money from parking fees goes directly back to local charities and drivers receive a booklet worth $400 in retail coupons for local businesses. Once again, there will be nine ribbers for festivalgoers to try out, including last year's best sauce and ribs winner, Kentucky Smokehouse. "Everyone always has an equal chance (to win) because they're all so good," said Peden. "There is a couple of new (ribbers) this year. I think Kentucky Smokehouse is very good but I think they'll get a run for their money by everybody else, so they'll have to be on their toes to keep their title." One of the new ribbers is the all-female group Crazy Canuck Smokers, which Peden admits is very good. Rounding out those supplying ribs are: Boss Hogs BBQ, Jack on the Bone, Gator BBQ, Tennessee Fatbacks, Bad Wolf Barbecue, Route 55 and Pistol Pete's Smokehouse. People will once again be invited to vote for their favourite ribs and sauce throughout the festival at a designated tent on tablets. Voting closes at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 and the winner will be announced at 3 p.m. There will also be a variety of food vendors for those not in the ribbing mood, which will offer ice cream, corn on the cob, doughnuts, lemonade, fries, Beaver Tails and more. But food isn't the only thing on the weekend's agenda -- festivalgoers will be entertained by more than a dozen musical groups playing at Ribfest. The weekend's headliners include Groove Hammer, Rocket 88, Bare Blue Sea, The Argues Family Band, High Rendition Jazz, The Beat Heathens and Meagan Delima. The weekend will also feature a free Kids' Play Zone, tours of the Sheridan College grounds, artists and artisans, a community marketplace Trish Peden and an amusement park with rides and games. On Saturday, June 27, a large wagon pulled by Clydesdales will available for guests, too. "New this year, we'll have new car highlights being shown in the southeast corner...and a Ferris wheel," said Peden. "It's a big one too. Apparently, you can see it from miles away." For the second year, there will be a dog daycare located just outside the main gate for those who cannot leave the pets alone, but would still like to attend Ribfest. Dogs and pets are not allowed on site because of Halton Regional bylaws, unless they are service dogs, said Peden. "It's a double-fenced-in area. There's a little pool, a little tent, hoops and toys for the animals," she explained. "Run by Barks n' Rec... they will look after your animal while you're inside." Peden says the Ribfest weekend couldn't run smoothly without the more than 200 volunteers who help out, including those who drive people in golf carts from the parking lot to the front gate. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to visit oakvillefamilyribfest.com and click on the `Volunteers' tab. For Peden, the best part of Ribfest is when everything is completely set up and ready, and the gates are about to open. "I look across the whole expanse and it's always a little bit different and bigger than the year before and then this rush, and you think, `This was a lot of work, but this is why we did it. This is beautiful.' That rush is my favourite part," she said. "Then you meet so many people and the smiling kids in the children's village, it's all good... I look forward to that." Saturday, November 21 to Wednesday, November 25, 2015 Join us for a four night/five day performing arts adventure tour to New York City on a deluxe motor coach. Experience the best of NYC with like-minded theatre fans from Oakville and surrounding area. Hosted by Uniglobe Adventure House Travel and representatives from the Oakville Centre, this trip will be a one-of-a-kind experience where you can enjoy the best of New York City. Oakville Centre Travel Tour YOUR TRIP INCLUDES: · · · · For more arts news, visit insidehalton.com/oakville-on WANT TO KNOW MORE? Information Sessions ­ Tuesday, June 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Oakville Centre. RSVP: 905-338-4161 ext. 7530 or BoxOffice@oakville.ca Four nights' accommodation at the Row NYC Hotel Daily breakfast at the hotel Two group dinners at Sardis and Bond 45 Tickets to two Broadway shows ­ Matilda and Finding Neverland * *Performances subject to availability · Round trip transportation by Pacific Western deluxe motor coach · Ample time scheduled for shopping, self-guided sightseeing and optional tours of New York City PACKAGE PRICE: · CAD $1,899* per person (based on double occupancy) · CAD $2,395* for single occupancy *Price includes all taxes and gratuities Book Your Tour Today! Ginette Ford ­ Uniglobe Adventure House Travel 101-1660 North Service Rd. E., Oakville 905-845-6631 (local) 1-800-268-3273 ginette@advhouse.com TICO# 3328458