Sunday was the fourth and final day of Moncton’s Ribfest. Four days of barbeque ribs, chicken, pulled pork, sausage, brisket, beans, coleslaw and cornbread There was live music and a bar too. What more could a dad want on Father’s Day? “It doesn’t get any better than this,” said Jon Arsenault, after finishing off his family feast. “Coming out on a Sunday and hanging out with the family and getting some ribs, it’s great.” Nathan Greeno brought his two daughters from Amherst, N.S. “It’s a nice experience to get out with them. Get some good food and some barbeque. Just a day out of the house,” said Greeno. Matt Hansen said having some good food and making memories is what it’s all about. “It’s nice someone is running the barbeque for me today,” said Hansen. This is the twelfth straight year the ribbers have made their way to Riverfront Park in downtown Moncton. This year’s vendors included Crabby’s BBQ, Pistol Pete’s, Texas Rangers BBQ, Smokehouse Bandits and Camp 31 BBQ from Brewton, Alabama. Event manager Robert Gallant said, despite a bit of wild and wet weather, it was a very successful weekend. “We still had over 20,000 people, not counting today, so people love their ribs and they’re coming out in droves,” said Gallant. United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick CEO Debbie McInnis said all the money they collect from 50/50 draws, tips at the bar and donations at the front entrance go to its community fund that supports 16 programs and agencies. “I think it’s fantastic. I think it really kicks off summer and people love to get out and they love to eat ribs quite apparently,” said McInnis. “I think it’s just a great community event.” The ribbers from across Canada and the United States work 12 hour days, or longer, but you wouldn’t know it from all the energy coming from behind the grill. “They do this for a living, they’re grinding it,” said Gallant. “We’re exhausted after four days here. They do this every weekend and yet they’re still happy, they’re professional and they’re so glad to be out and about.” Jamie Williams from Camp 31 BBQ, or Pit Master Willy, said they love coming back every year and there’s no secret how they keep the energy and their spirits up all day long. “We find every local coffee shop, I’ll tell you that. And a lot of Red Bulls. But in all seriousness, we’re just so grateful to be here. It is a privilege to come to Moncton and do this,” said Williams. Williams said they set up shop on Wednesday and will tear everything down at the end of the day on Sunday, but his crew also got a bit of time to check out the city over the weekend. “All the wonderful restaurants Moncton has to offer and more importantly we get to serve our championship barbeque to Moncton,” said Williams. Dad not having to fire up the backyard barbeque on his special day made Sunday even sweeter. “It’s nice someone’s running the barbeque for me today. It’s nice,” said Hansen. “Dad doesn’t cook very often anyways,” said Greeno. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
