Ribfest fired up for long weekend of music, munchies and merriment
The eastern edge of Victoria Park is home to Ribber's Row where 10 rib grillers tempt palates with ribs, chicken, pulled pork, beef, corn bread, rice, coleslaw, roasted corn on the cob and other delights.
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It’s a little taste of home that Alex Meabon just can’t resist.
And the Kentucky-born woman who’s called London home for more than 20 years wasn’t going to miss the opening of the London Ribfest and Craft Beer Festival Thursday at Victoria Park.
“Today, I’m just having some corn, but I’ll be back tomorrow for ribs,” said Meabon, sitting with a few friends and children at a table under a shade tree.
“I come every year and I can tell you the flavors match what I used to get in Kentucky, which is amazing. I’ve tried several, but Kentucky Smokehouse is my favorite.”
The eastern edge of the park is home to Ribber’s Row where 10 rib grillers tempt palates with ribs, chicken, pulled pork, beef, corn bread, rice, coleslaw, roasted corn on the cob and other delights. It’s also the site for about 24 craft beer and craft distillers.
About 60 other vendors are spread throughout the park, offering specialty foods, jewelry, clothing, and home and health products.
One of the newcomers to the beer garden is Heeman’s, the garden centre and strawberry farm, just east of London International Airport.
At its booth, Heeman’s is selling its original Hard Apple Cider, its new Strawberry and Rhubarb Sour hard apple cider and its Cheery Grove Mead, made from the honey taken from the 100 bee hives on the farm.
“This is our first year doing festivals,” said Heeman’s representative Ethan Spenler.
“People who’ve had our cider and mead at the farm just love it that we’re here and others are surprised.”
Other newcomers to the festival are Stratford’s MVP Brewing and Heritage Hops Brew Co., Stockyards Brewing from Kitchener, Blenheim’s Red Barn Brewing and Blyth’s Hijinx, owned by Cowbell Brewery.
The beer garden is also home to The Cheesecake Company, Jolly Ranger Slushy, roasted corn on the cob, corn dogs, and an old-fashioned soft drink company.
Although a little rain fell just before lunch, Doug Hillier of Family Shows Canada was happy to see people return to the first full Ribfest in three years.
“It’s been an incredible day so far for a Thursday opening,” Hillier said.
There is one newcomer to Ribber’s Row — Bubba Lou’s Bar-B-Q out of Louisiana.
When you start hearing the grill teams singing and shouting their chants, you know things are heating up on Ribber’s Row.
Boss Hog’s team was loud and proud, singing, “I don’t know, but I’ve been told … Boss’s sauce is mighty bold. Best ribs, best chicken, Boss’s sauce is finger lickin’”
IF YOU GO
What: London Ribfest and Craft Beer Festival
When: Through Monday
Where: Victoria Park
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