High costs force organizers in Timmins to cut some events, including Ribfest

Two organizations in Timmins say rising costs have forced them to cancel two high-profile summer events in the city, including Ribfest.

Two organizations in Timmins known for hosting events and raising money are feeling a financial squeeze this year.

The Rotary Club of Timmins-Porcupine and the Timmins Festivals and Events Committee have both had to make some difficult decisions to stay in the black.

Rotary president Ross McIvor said Timmins loves to eat ribs, but Ribfest is an expensive event to organize.

McIvor said people are spending less in the beer tent and, he added, renting tents and tables, policing, sanitation and post-event cleanup are more expensive these days.

“Oh, it’s probably double or triple, at least I think from where things were,” said McIvor.

He said the club signed some sponsors this year, but that didn’t raise enough money before its deadline and so they decided to call Ribfest off.

Instead, it’s hosting its inaugural Golf for Good tournament on June 6 in support of the Timmins and District Hospital Emergency Room.

“They’re going to have some major costs and we’re going to help out,” McIvor said.

“We’ve made a commitment to them over $50,000 and this is going to help pay down some of that.”

The Timmins Festivals and Events Committee is another organization that decided to cut costs this year. It’s dropping the Hollinger Fun Days -- also known as the Free Zone -- from its Rock on the River Festival.

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Like the Rotary Club, the committee said rising costs -- including artist fees, equipment rentals, activity costs and the cost of renting Hollinger Park -- made it financially unfeasible. The committee also received less funding than it did last year.

“We’re trying to keep our mandate on Rock on the River and bringing … in the local artists, the big artists, and that’s kind of where we went," said promotions director Sean Harris.

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“We decided to give the Free Zone up, leave the opportunity for someone else to take it.”

Rock on the River is still a go at Hollinger Park with performances to entertain a diverse crowd.

“Headstones, Bif Naked, Pop Evil, Cooper Allen, Brett Kissel, Corey Marx and, Mitch Gene and Failed Attempt, obviously, which is my band, but yeah, it’s going to be great, we’re excited,” said Harris, of the bands slated to perform.

Rock on the River happens on July 18-19.

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