Stop by the Cambridge Ribfest & Craft Beer Show, proudly presented by Nedlaw Roofs, in support of Rotary Cambridge Sunrise.
Mark your calendars for a fun-filled weekend from Aug. 9 to 11, 2024, at Riverside Park. Admission is free, so bring your friends and family to enjoy delicious ribs and craft beer. The festival opens at noon daily, closes at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, and at 6 PM on Sunday. Take advantage of this community-favourite event!
As the summer heats up, so does the anticipation for the Cambridge Ribfest and Craft Beer Show, an annual event that has become a staple in the community's calendar since its inception in 2013.
The festival, which had a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, has returned under the new management of Impact Events Group Inc., headed by Guy Exley, allowing the Rotary to focus their efforts on fundraising.
In addition to the traditional mouth-watering barbecued ribs and chicken, the event features a Craft Beer Show. According to Exley, the decision to introduce the Craft Beer Show stemmed from its success at other festivals he produces, such as those in Kitchener and Kingston.
"The Craft Beer Show adds variety for people versus having one brand with a beer tent and helps promote local and Ontario craft breweries and alcohol vendors," Exley explained. This year marks the second time the craft beer show will be featured, offering attendees a wide selection from breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries.
For those looking to try some unique beverages, the festival won’t disappoint. There will be over 50 brands to sample. If you choose to drink, purchase a wristband for $8, a one-time charge good for the whole weekend. This wristband also gives you a souvenir sample cup. Purchase tokens for $3 each for a 6oz sample or use them towards a full 16oz cup.
There will be 19 different food vendors, including six award-winning rib teams, offering diverse options alongside traditional barbecue staples and other festival favourites like blooming onions, funnel cakes, Texas tornado potatoes, and BBQ’d corn-on-the-cob. Many vendors offer vegetarian and gluten-free options.
The festival is not just about food and drink; it also serves a charitable purpose.
"The event supports Rotary Cambridge Sunrise," Exley noted. All donations collected at the gate go directly to Rotary-supported organizations and projects, both locally and abroad, making each contribution part of a larger effort to enhance local lives.
Exley offers some advice for first-time attendees: "Come hungry and come thirsty!" Besides indulging in culinary delights and refreshing brews, visitors can enjoy a Kids Fun Zone and live music throughout the weekend.
New this year is a shuttle bus service that will loop through the park to help attendees easily transfer from far parking lots. Those interested in supporting beyond just attendance can make donations at the gates, contributing directly to the Rotary Club's fundraising efforts.
The Cambridge Ribfest and Craft Beer Show promises a weekend of good food, great drinks, and even better company while giving back to the community. Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, the event is shaping up to be an unmissable summer highlight.
