Now as a flexitarian RibFest isn’t really my scene, but after I heard about how and why Toronto’s RibFest is run I knew I would have to see what all the buzz was about.
RibFest is, as many Torontonians know, an annual festival held every Canada day weekend at Centennial Park. As the name suggests its all about the meat at RibFest! Each year Ribbers come out to impress meat-lovers with their fare in hopes of wining the People’s Choice Award for Best Ribs and Best Sauce. But that’s not all…
For the past 11 years the Etobicoke Rotary Club has put together a fabulous family event filled with food, carnival games, great deals, children’s fair rides, and live entertainment. Rotary Clubs operate world wide and uphold the motto of “Service Above Self”. This event is a testament to their motto as it takes 900 4-hour volunteer positions to execute RibFest! ALL the money raised goes via the Rotary Club of Etobicoke into supporting community needs and organizations. 100%. And with such a fantastic event, the Rotary Club of Etobicoke really helps to make a difference.
Toronto Ribfest raises money in four ways:
1) The ribbers and vendors pay to participate.
2) Sponsorships.
3) On-site donations to “Tubby” the pig.
4) Onsite drink sales.
Over the past fifteen years, the Rotary Club of Etobicoke has donated more than $1 million to local charities, including:
Trillium Hospital (Formerly Queensway/Mississauga Hospital)
Habitat For Humanity
The Gatehouse
Guide Dogs of Canada
Rotary Camp Enterprise (Youth Program)
Women’s Habitat
Worldwide Polio Immunization & Eradication
The Dorothy Ley Hospice
Humber River Regional Hospital
Toronto Fire Dept. Defibrillator
Snoezelen Room at Seneca School
P.A.C.T. (Youth Crime Reduction Program)
Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade
Lakeshore Arts
Salvation Army
Lori’s Room at St. Joseph’s Hospital
Rotary Youth Scholarships
Lakeshore Community Policing Station
The Troup Program (Toronto Outreach Program for Youth)
Now while I may not have had any ribs, I did make a donation to Tubby, indulge in some funnel cake, and I found a great hat. The great vendors, eco-friendly food packaging, strong push for recycling, and community support the Rotary Club provides made this a thinkGood. event and it was a great way to spend an afternoon.
Do Good, Feel Good, Live Good,
-Team thinkGood.
Tags: Canada day weekend, Centennial Park, Etobicoke Rotary Club, Service Above Self, Toronto RibFest