Norfolk Ribfest returns to Simcoe August 28-30
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Chris Abbott
Editor
The 2nd annual Your Local Norfolk County Ribfest is returning to Simcoe, August 28-30 at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds.
Enjoy live music and award-winning ribs - and you can vote for your favourite!
The three-day ribfest supports Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, and volunteers from the Rotary will be welcoming people at the main gate.
Last year Rotary volunteers accepted donations at the gate (admission is free) and raised $3,194 selling 50-50 tickets.
“We’re hoping it’s even higher this year because we started selling 50-50 tickets in July,” said Paul Macko, Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, membership chair and Ribfest 50-50 coordinator. “So I think we’ll do better than that.”
The 50-50 draw will be held Sunday, August 30 at 5 p.m. Funds raised by the Rotary will go toward local causes (like the new hospice in Jarvis) and some international causes. For more information on Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise visit their website at norfolksunrise.org.
“I think the Ribfest feedback this year is pretty positive,” said Macko. “I was talking to people at the Friendship Festival last weekend and people were pretty excited about it.”
“My hope and plan is to celebrate these cities, utilize as many services as we can from their area, and boost up that community,” said organizer Chris Glassford from Glassford Productions. “So if we can help out someone like the Rotary… that’s what gets these things going. I like to see the communities benefit from these kinds of things.”
Three rib vendors are scheduled to be there this year – King Smoke, Crazy Canucks from Brantford and Jack the Ribber, replacing Route 55.
“I don’t think it’s a ribfest until you have three, so I like to keep it at three as a starter,” said Glassford. “We originally had four (in 2025), but… quality over quantity. We went with three of the best ribs that you’re going to get in Ontario and we focused on those.”
Live music includes sets from Sonic Sinners (5:30-6:30 & 7-8 p.m.) and The AC/DC Eras Tribute (8:30-9:30 & 10-11 p.m.) on Friday, August 28. On Saturday, August 29 it’s After the Lounge (5:30-6:30 & 7-8 p.m.), and The Almost Hip (8:30-9:30 & 10-11 p.m.).
Ribfest hours are 3-11 on the Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the Saturday, and it concludes Sunday, August 30 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Beverages can be purchase from the Summit Saloon Event Bar.
“It’s a good location, it’s central to Norfolk County,” said Macko. “It’s an investment in our community and we need to support it.”
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