Organizers of the annual Chatham Ribfest are planning to bring the event back to Tecumseh Park this year after a two-year absence.
A news release said the event “will occur on some level” in 2022, with dates scheduled from July 7 to July 10. The organizers plan on having five rib teams competing over the four days for the title of Chatham-Kent’s best ribs.
The teams scheduled for this year are Route 55 BBQ, Brickyard BBQ, Jack the Ribber, Gonzalez BBQ and Silver Bullet BBQ.
Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario held a charity drive-thru rib fest last summer, but the traditional event in Tecumseh Park hasn’t been held since 2019.
The release said there will be changes to this year’s event, including incorporating Art in the Park and a new approach to how the festival grounds will operate.
“We’re excited to launch our new festival layout, which allows guests to carry their craft beers or spirits throughout the event from ordering their ribs to checking out vendors,” Chris Glassford, festival co-ordinator, said in the release.
Glassford said there will be more local vendors, plus the familiar Ribfest faces and local bands and artists on the entertainment schedule.
“Now is the time to really support the local movement,” Glassford said. “We have all been struggling through this pandemic as businesses and artists and even patrons. We need to get out and support our friends and neighbors when it is safe to do so.”
More information is available at ChathamRibfest.ca or the event’s Facebook page.