Rotary Ribfest – All Fired Up and Ready to Go

July 14, 2023

Open Hearth Park in Sydney will be buzzing with activity this weekend as Rotary Ribfest comes to town. This saucy summer celebration offers something for everyone and promises great food, awesome entertainment and a host of family fun activities. Gates open at 11:00 am Friday, July 14 and the fun continues through to 7:00 pm on Sunday.

Five professional ribbers are on-site to offer an array of grilled favourites and tasty sides. Local food trucks and vendors are on hand adding to the festival-like atmosphere. A bar area is also available. For the kids, Bounce Kingdom is back featuring inflatables, bounce houses, rock climbing and more. And overhead, the SkyHawks Canada, Canada’s only military parachute team, will be performing daily at 11:00 am (weather permitting).

The music is non-stop. This year’s entertainment line-up includes a long list of talented local musicians including Matt Minglewood on Friday night and members of Beoloch and Coig on Saturday night. Sunday’s stage will feature Keith Mullins and Morgan Toney, as well as the Andrew Doyle Band among others.

There is no cost of admission to Rotary Ribfest, however, patrons are asked to consider a donation at the gate in support of this year’s Featured Charity – United Way Cape Breton, and the work of the Rotary Clubs of CBRM.  All money raised will help these two organizations address community needs.

“The Rotary Clubs of CBRM are pleased to once again present Rotary Ribfest,” says Darren Vallis, Co-Chair of the event and member of the Sydney Rotary Club. “We are grateful to our community sponsors for their generosity and to the people of the area who have made Rotary Ribfest such a success. They all know that by supporting Rotary Ribfest they are supporting their community.”

“We were extremely excited to be chosen as Rotary Ribfest’s charity this year,” says Lynne McCarron, Executive Director of United Way Cape Breton. “Now that the event is upon, we are even more excited to join Rotary members for a weekend of good food, music and family fun. We are thankful for the community coming together to support two important causes.”

 “Membertou is pleased to once again be Rotary Ribfest’s Prime Ribber sponsor,” says Membertou Chief, Terry Paul. “Ribfest serves not only to bring the community together to enjoy good food and music, but it provides an opportunity to support the efforts of so many volunteers and local charities who are working hard to make our community a better place.”

This is the seventh year that Rotary has hosted Ribfest in the CBRM and over that time, close to $400,000 has been raised for local charities.

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For information, contact:

Michele McKinnon
902-210-5761
rotaryribfestcb.com