The smell grabs you first—smoke and seasoning riding the air like a siren song. Kawartha Ribfest isn’t for the timid; it’s the kind of festival that grabs you by the lapels and dares you to dig in. Born nearly twenty years ago as a humble Rotary fundraiser, it has grown into a barbecue-fueled pilgrimage across Del Crary Park, drawing rib teams, redeemers of summer, and crowds that only get bigger.
This weekend, the pit bosses roll in with rigs polished like tour buses and racks that glisten like trophies—the kind of gear that makes ribs an art form. North America’s top teams battle over brisket and sauces while locals line up, sauce-sticky fingers and beers in tow, ready to crown a champion with every bite.
Friday night it’s “Rock the Lake” with tributes Hysteria: Def Leppard and Who Made Who: ACDC plus up and comers Burning Bridges, Misfits in Action, Fame Cartel and Brisk Recharge.
Saturday’s Hootenanny brings the fire—Hometown Canadian country star Elyse Saunders is set to tear through the Miskin Law stage with gravel and swagger. Local powerhouses Georgia Rose, Steve Waters Band, Harry Hannah, Haley McNeil, Chris Clark, Ella Campbell, and Lauren Anne Yule light matches across genres.
Sunday it’s a day to sonically recover at The “Patio Party” with Vancamp, Amberlynn Rutherford, The Tonemasters, Four Lanes Wide and Jeanne Truax.
But Ribfest isn’t just about the sound or sausages—it’s a summer rite. Vendors spill over the grounds with artisan goods and wicked eats. Cornhole tournaments and the Big Rib Competition keep you cheering; Show & Shine means bikes, flame jobs, and polished chrome soaking in the smoke-ring atmosphere. The new Bud Light VIP zone adds a cool, shaded periphery for those wanting a front-row vibe—complete with premium drinks, celeb meet-and-greets, and yes, a chance to win a Nashville trip.
All of this rises from a near-cancellation. When the Rotary Club bowed out under financial strain, Dennis Nephin grabbed the pit torch and said, “No way the city loses this.” He moved it lakeside to Del Crary, retooled the vibe, and this summer’s 20th year becomes something more than ribs—it becomes proof that community refuses to lose its soul.
This weekend, the shoreline will be humming with laughter and smoked sweetness. Kawartha Ribfest isn’t just back—it’s back with fangs.