This weekend will see Fort Frances host its first ever ribfest at the Sorting Gap Marina, running from Friday, Sept. 18, to Sunday, Sept. 20, and featuring barbecue and entertainment all weekend.
Opening Friday morning at 11 a.m. Ribs on the Rainy will showcase three different rib options and each evening will feature different musical acts, as well as different activities throughout the weekend.
Catrina Caira works at the Fort Frances Museum and Cultural Centre and is one of the organizers from the Town of Fort Frances.
“If you’ve never been to a ribfest before, basically we’re going to have three travelling rib teams who will have their truck set up, and then in front of them, they’ve usually got a table with all the awards that they’ve won and some sauce samples,” Caira said. “You can try your samples before you figure out which ribs you’re going to buy, so that’s the ribs. We’re also going to have some other food trucks and stuff on site.”
The three barbecue teams are Texas Ranger BBQ, Mississippi Smokehouse and Smoky Rebel BBQ. While their names refer to their barbecue styles, each is a Canadian owned and operated truck.
“Completely Canadian-owned and operated, Texas Ranger BBQ has been bringing authentic Southern-style barbecue north of the border for more than 20 years,” says the team description on the Ribs on the Rainy Facebook page. “Their signature sauce has been perfected over two decades on the Ribfest circuit, earning them awards, loyal fans and a reputation as true legends of the tour. With fall-off-the-bone ribs, big flavour and years of experience behind the grill, Texas Ranger BBQ knows exactly how to bring the heat. They may be Canadian, but their BBQ is straight outta Texas!”
“Hailing from London, Ont., Mississippi Smokehouse is proudly Canadian-owned and operated — but their BBQ recipe comes straight from the Dirty South,” reads their description. “Known for their sweet, tangy and seriously sticky ribs, this award-winning team has collected hardware at Ribfests across the country. Their famous recipe has earned the nickname “The Big Sticky” — and once you’ve tried it, you’ll understand why. Sweet. Smoky. Sticky. And ready to compete.”
Finally, Smoky Rebel BBQ is a newer team on the ribfest circuit.
“One of the newer teams to hit the Ribfest circuit, Smoky Rebel BBQ didn’t take long to make some noise,” their description says. “Originating from Canada’s East Coast, the Rebels came out firing — picking up awards and winning over communities across the country with great BBQ and an unmistakable East Coast swagger. They’re bold, they’re hungry, and they’re quickly becoming one of the teams to watch on the Canadian Ribfest circuit.’
Throughout the weekend different entertainment options will be on offer, including musical performances each evening.
Friday night will feature performances by Kenora-based Space Race followed by Sage and Tim from the band Shred Kelly, which has played several times in the Fort Frances area. Friday night’s music is sponsored by Tour de Fort. Space Race starts at 6 p.m. and Sage and Tim will follow at 7:45 p.m.
On Saturday night, local rockers Kings of None will hit the stage at 6 p.m., while Sunday afternoon will feature performances from Quest for the Best and Kids Quest for the Best performers starting at 1 p.m. and Emo-based singer-songwriter Jill Loryn will wrap up the weekend, also starting at 6 p.m.
On Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. each of the rib trucks will be judged by a panel of local judges to see who will win best sauce and best ribs for the first ever Ribs on the Rainy rib fest.
The weekend will also feature a vendor market, Kid’s Zone and a variety of other entertainment options which are listed on each day’s schedule in the “Fort Frances Ribs on the Rainy” Facebook page.
Entry is free for the weekend thanks to local sponsors including Coeur Rainy River, Northstar Air, 93.1 the Border and Miller Law Office, among others. Cash donations will be accepted on behalf of the LaVerendrye General Hospital General Equipment Fund and the Canadian Legion Branch #29 Auxiliary.
They also have Mark Anthony Brands sponsoring the bar, which includes Dillon’s Cocktails, Olé Cocktail Co. and White Claw, among other beverage options.
Caira said that the ribbers and the bar will be able to accept payment through debit or credit, but some of the other food trucks or vendors in the market may not, so it is a great idea to have cash on hand. She also said that she has heard from a number of excited community members.
“Some people have really expressed quite a bit of excitement. It’s not something that we normally have here, so I think it’ll be a really great experience,” Caira said.
“I hope that lots of people can come out and eat some ribs and give it a try. It’s the first time, so we’re hoping to see as many people come out as possible.”
