📸: @esqribs

Ribfest is gearing up for its tenth anniversary at Bullen Park this year, and it’s sure to be a fun-filled event.

Partnering together, the Esquimalt Firefighters Charitable Foundation, the Esquimalt Ribfest Society, and seven local non-profit groups host the charitable event each year, raising over $1 million for local charities in the past decade. With six “big-rig BBQ companies,” eight local breweries, 20 local bands, and 20 local vendors, this year’s event is as bigger and better than ever.

Ribbers

Boss Hog’s: Smoking’s the game and Boss Hog’s the name. With “Taste the Smokin’ Difference” being Boss Hog’s motto, the team has been rising in success for over 10 years. Through dedication and consistency, the team has served Canadians coast to coast and are a delicious spot to stop.

Gator BBQ: Serving “mouth-watering chicken, pulled pork and ribs to the hungry crowds of Rib Fests all across North America,” Gator BBQ has been around for over 30 years. Touring Canada and the Northern United States, the Smith family attend over 30 rib fests a year and are a fierce competitor for the other ribbers attending.

Grizzly BBQ: Chef Oliver Briggs started Grizzly BBQ in 2016 after years of envisioning his own kitchen. As a fifth-generation Vancouver Islander, Chef Ollie is a local favourite with a talent for keeping people coming back to taste his delicious spice blends and smoking techniques.

Pit Crew BBQ: Despite the new branding, Pit Crew BBQ are not new to the fest with over 25 years of experience. Originating from the Maritimes, the team has crew from Ontario all the way to Vancouver Island, and are excited to serve locals delicious BBQ.

Prairie Smoke & Spice BBQ: Coming all the way from Southern Saskatchewan, this team is seasoned in the Esquimalt Ribfest, taking home first place ribs and second place sauce in the 2021 event. Looking forward to the competition, this team is the most decorated BBQ business in Canada, winning over 250 awards.

Smoke Dem Bones: Last but not least, Smoke Dem bones is a company that started with their passion for barbecue, but quickly jumped into competing after seeing the thrill of it. Despite being a newer competitor, they’ve already made a name for themselves, having won awards for best sauce twice last year.

Esquimalt Ribfest

When: Friday Sept. 8 to Sunday, September 10, starting at 11am every morning and ending at 10pm Friday and Saturday, and 9pm on Sunday.

Where: Bullen Park.

This article first appeared in The Westshore. To read more about the Westshore area, including news and events, subscribe to the newsletter here.