Has it been a year already?
Ribfest is finally back!
Esquimalt Ribfest goes from Friday, September 9th to Sunday September 11th.
There will be live music every night, beer and cider from local breweries and cideries, deep fried onions for the vegetarian attendees and the best ribs you can get your slippery, saucy little hands on.
Get to know the six “ribber” teams that you’ll be lining up for:
- Pit Crew BBQ is new this year! They’re from the Maritimes and have a great supportive crew from Ontario, to Vancouver Island & everywhere in between! They have formed a great team and we look forward to serving the best customers all over this beautiful country of ours.
- House of Q is known for winning BBQ awards in Canada, USA and beyond. The BBQ Pitmaster team led by BBQ Brian Misko are some of the world’s best and they are 100% Canadian. Crowned with the first place ribs at the World Food Championships in Las Vegas their line of BBQ sauces and spices are tested by judges. And they win awards.
- Prairie Smoke & Spice BBQ, the home of genuine pit-smoked BBQ catering in Southern Saskatchewan. What started with a sample of real barbeque in Texas eight years ago has turned into a consuming passion to produce the best, most authentic ‘Q available in the prairies. This dream is now a reality as Prairie Smoke & Spice has won many awards on the competition circuit.
- Gator BBQ, for 30 years has been delivering mouth watering chicken, pulled pork and ribs to the hungry crowds of Rib Fests all across North America. Touring Canada and the Northern United States, the Smith family of Port Dover continue to win countless awards and events with their signature southern BBQ cuisine.
- Grizzly Ribs, a local BBQ joint. Chef Ollie is a fifth-generation Vancouver Islander with a knack for finding just the right mix of smoke, service, spice and sass that keeps people coming back.
- Boss Hog’s, with “Taste the Smokin’ Difference” being their team’s motto, it is their utmost goal to provide our patrons with the ultimate barbeque experience. Season after season they become even more successful through consistency, atmosphere and a customer service that is next-to-none.
What are you gonna be doing when you aren’t eating your body weight in delicious BBQ though? Well, you’ll be dancing to the live music of course!
Here’s the schedule for the Ribfest Stage:
Friday, September 9th:
- 12 p.m. – Vintage Funk
- 1:15 p.m. – Demographix
- 2:30 p.m. – Scotty Mac and the Cheese
- 3:45 p.m. – The Lost Talkers
- 5 p.m. – Brickhouse
- 6:30 p.m. – Iris
- 8:30 p.m. – Nautical Disaster
Saturday, September 10th:
- 12 p.m. – Curl
- 1:15 p.m. – Soul shakers
- 3 p.m. – Rock Steady
- 4 p.m. – Rib Contest Judging
- 5 p.m. – Paul Black
- 6:30 p.m. – BiPolar Bear
- 8:30 p.m. – Barracuda (Heart Tribute)
Sunday, September 11th
- 12: p.m. – Rewind
- 1:15 p.m. – Lust Life Blues Band
- 2:30 p.m. – R&B King Pins
- 3:45 p.m. – Shagster
- 4:45 p.m. – 50/50
- 5 p.m. – Push
- 6:15 p.m. – The Tumblin Dice
- 7:45 p.m. – Love Cats
All set times are approximate and may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
You’re going to need something to wash the ribs down and try not to spill while you bop to the music too.
What’s on the drink menu:
All beverages are provided by local businesses!
- Driftwood Brewery
- Lighthouse Brewing Company
- Howl Brewing
- Vancouver Island Brewery
- Category 12
- Merridale Cidery
- Junction Orchard and Cidery
- Prospect Winery
All beverages will be $7 or 3 for $20.
Here’s the parking situation:
This year the Esquimalt Ribfest has a new and improved system for parking.
Every 20 minutes there will be a shuttle bus going from Ribfest’s location at Bullen Park to a parking lot at Canteen Road and Lyall Street.
The shuttle bus will be running Friday 4 p.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Esquimalt Ribfest is free to enter. All proceeds from the festival (outside operating costs) will go to Esquimalt Firefighters Charitable Foundation, local charities and school-sponsored activities.
Esquimalt Ribfest 2022
- Where: 527 Fraser Street, Bullen Park
- When: September 9th to 11th
- Admission: Free
