Smokey barbecue aromas wafted through Tudhope Park amid the sound of country tunes, laughter, and friendly chants from competitive cookers as the Northern Heat Rib Series — billed as North America's largest rib and beer festival — kicked off Friday.
“There’s something for everyone,” says the festival’s organizer, Robyn Wilson.
Wilson and her husband have been involved with the event for 18 years. Just before COVID, the previous owners were looking to sell and the Wilsons bought it.
Since then they have seen it through pick-up and drive-through options, but “attendance has really skyrocketed” in recent years, she observes. “Last week there were a ton, a ton of vendors.”
In Orillia, there’s a wide variety of goodies to find — not just ribs and barbecued treats. There’s a tent with every kind of Turkish delight you can imagine, from orange to coconut flavours. The olive buffet has something for many different palettes: garlic oregano, black or green marinated olives and stuffed peppers or sun- dried tomatoes. Then there’s the blooming onions, a fan favourite served with Chipotle dip. "They’re so good,” remarked one attendee.
Just past the entrance, The Crazy Plant Lady offers people advice for tending to their houseplants. Quirky arrangements of succulents and hanging metalwork are on display in this tent. This is Jana Zelenovich’s second year travelling with the popular rib fest, setting up in every city along the way.
Not every vendor can travel to every location, though. Essence of Flavour brings their arrangement of hot sauces to venues within a certain driving distance of Brampton. They operate an online store, with three generations of culinary creators behind the scenes. It’s "Meemaw’s secret Jamaican recipes" that pack a punch, and her name on the jar of jam that touts multiple fruit with a hint of spice.
Of course, ribs are what bring people here and Wilson points out the fun nature of "people’s choice" voting.
You can ask the grillers for a taste of their sauce before committing to which ones you want to buy. When asked which are her favourite, Wilson couldn’t decide.
“I haven’t tried them all yet this year, but Texas Jack has been doing well, winning a lot lately with their new sauce," explained Wilson. "They all start with Canadian meat and then use their own secret rubs and spices and the temperature they cook and smoke it at, and using their own secret sauces.”
For those who have experienced the rib fest and are back this year, most know what they’re looking for.
David Beach says he lines up for the Kentucky style ribs in particular, while his wife, Rebecca, is happy with almost any kind and their little one, Nora, only just got to try ribs for the first time last year. She will likely enjoy the famous mac ’n cheese from the truck next to the grillers.
If you’re new to the experience, you can take a note from one attendee who didn’t know how to decide, but was hungry enough to choose a line and stick to it. He based his decision on the outlet with the most trophies on display.
The weather was not predicted to be the best for this weekend, but rain or shine, they "tough it out,” says one decade-long traveller with Northern Heat. The game he tends to involves a fishing rod and a pool of mechanical frogs who open and close their mouths as it spins.
At the start of the day it attracts mostly children to the game, but later on, he says, “even adults start to play. And the stuffed animal prizes make good chew toys for pet dogs, too.” He admits setting up is a big job every weekend. “There’s a lot of yelling,” he says with a smile, but by the time it’s open to the public “we always have a lot of fun."
“Orillia likes their ribs,” says David Beach, noting his family has returned to the annual event for three years in a row. He said they enjoy “listening to live music and now that there’s the rides and games for kids, even axe throwing, too,” it's a fun event.
They note it’s easy to spend most of the day at the park.
“Each location has its own vibe, for sure,” says Wilson. “A pavement surface is different ... there’s something about being on the water with the fresh air, it’s really nice.”
Wilson said they are proud to support local as much as possible. It was Barrie artist Johnny Anderson who kicked off with country tunes on Friday.
“Rock the Park is our Saturday theme and then we call it Mash Up Hits on Sunday," said Wilson, noting “a lot of these bands who travel with us have a good following."
The event continues today and wraps up Sunday, providing plenty of chance to vote for the best ribs and best sauce before the celebrity judging panel pick the winners, which are announced on Sunday.
“It’s a unique way that lets vendors and bands find us," said Wilson. "And the people’s choice QR codes let attendees be involved and vote for who they think is best."
She said people often remark about how much fun they have at the event.
"There’s a lot to drink and a lot to eat and it’s a lot of fun," she said.
