Thunder Bay’s RibFest will have a new home this year because of the vaccination campaign.

The festivities which are usually held at CLE grounds which again will be in a drive-thru format because of the pandemic, will take place at the Lakehead University parking lot this time around.

Daniel Trevisanutto is a partner with the Half-Way Motors group and is involved with RibFest. He explains the process and reasoning behind choosing this new venue.

“We originally approached them a while back. Lakehead University has a fantastic grounds here that provides us with a lot of benefits. If we look around there’s a huge parking lot here, and on top of it when we do the entrance from Oliver Road we can have a really long lineup.” Trevisanutto praised, “Last year at the CLE it worked well but we had to block off Northern Avenue and we ended up with a lineup down Fort William Road.”

Two out of city ribbers, Dinosaur Smokehouse and Ribs Royal will be returning this year.

The local competitor is where things get shuffled. This year, Daytona’s will be representing Thunder Bay at RibFest. Daytona’s has competed in a rib competition before, finishing second.

Owner John Collins was ecstatic to get the call and jumped at the opportunity to participate.

“I was extremely excited. We got the call and from day one we were on board. I was really honoured to be asked.”

While the venue may change, the event will still be supporting a great cause in Our Kids Count, a local group that fosters the health and development of youth.

Collins believes Daytona’s will have the best ribs, but knows there’s more to the event then that.

“I think all the ribs are going to be great, and the profits going to Our Kids Count means they’re going to be big the winners, it’s not going to be one of the three ribbers. It’s going to be Thunder Bay’s Our Kids Count and the kids.

While a more traditional walk up event was considered, there is still uncertainty in the pandemic ultimately leading to RibFest believing drive thru to be the safest format.

The event will run this summer between August 26-29.