Looking for Father’s Day family fun? Come join the community at the Pickering Rotary Ribfest
The Pickering Rotary Club promises revellers juicy ribs, cooling beverages, live entertainment and fun children’s activities at the largest summer festival in the City throughout the long weekend PICKERING, June 9, 2025 — The Rotary Club of Pickering is gearing up to host the City’s famous ribfest that has drawn thousands of revellers from across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. In its 11th year, the Pickering Ribfest comes to the Esplanade Park during the Father’s Day long weekend, June 13-15, starting at 11am daily. The free outdoor festival that drew more than 80,000 visitors in 2019, returned last year after a four-year pause due to the pandemic. While 30,000+ people stopped by in 2024, organizers expect several thousands more this year. Rib-judging underway during Pickering Rotary Ribfest last year. “We raised $40,000 last year, including voluntary donations at the door, with which we were able to help various charities that serve vulnerable communities in Durham Region,” says Don Alton, president of the Pickering Rotary Club. “We are thankful for the generous support of our sponsors, through which we are able to bring this annual festival back to our City and the Region. We are confident that we’ll raise at least double the amount this year, which we’ll distribute to local food banks, shelters and other nonprofit agencies to support their efforts.” Last year, the ribfest brought in more than $100,000 in business to the Region, and the Club expects a significant surge in that as well. “We saw an increased level of interest in vendor participation this year. We have accommodated as many as we could, and as diverse as possible,” Alton adds. Award-winning ribbers from across North America are converging at the festival to offer delectable racks of ribs to visiting food lovers. While ribbers will be the main attraction, diverse food vendors will be on hand to offer their best dishes, including festival favourites such as blooming onions, funnel cakes, jerk chicken, kabobs and poutine. There will also be beer and other alcoholic beverages available throughout the festival, alongside soft drinks, slushies, shakes and smoothies. Children will have their own share of fun with carnival games and rides, cotton candy, and face painting and other exciting activities to indulge in. Rib-judging underway during Pickering Rotary Ribfest last year. “I’m so excited! It’s definitely something fun for families to do in the summer,” says Pickering native Tanya Smith who has fond memories of going to the ribfest many times since her toddler accompanied her in a stroller a decade ago. “I even have pictures of my son eating ribs with the sauce all over his face!” The organizers promise revellers like Smith will not be disappointed. All three days, there will be live entertainment and DJ music by local artists, enjoyable by all – children to older adults, and those from diverse communities. Starting last year, the Pickering club is independently organizing the Rotary Ribfest in Pickering, which was co-led by the Ajax club in the past. Alton notes that other Rotary member clubs and charity organizations from the region will support through volunteering at the event. There will be live entertainment and DJ music by local artists, enjoyable by all – children to older adults, and those from diverse communities. The Rotary Club of Pickering is expecting 50,000+ people to converge at the festival. Dubbed as the largest outdoor festival in the city, the Pickering Ribfest is supported by the City of Pickering and has attracted sponsorships from businesses that serve the community. For the safety of the visitors, only service animals are permitted, and wearing a non-medical mask is not acceptable within the perimeter of the festival. Bringing in outside food and drinks, including water (unless for medical reasons) will not be allowed but patrons are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles to fill at the hydration stations. The Club is expecting 50,000+ people to converge at the festival. For crowd control and smooth operation of this large event, the organizers have hired police as well as security personnel for the duration of the festival. As for Smith, she will go with her teenage son to have a fabulous time once again this year, indulging in their summer tradition before the pandemic. She encourages everyone to go check it out, pointing to live entertainment, fun activities and of course, great food. “It’s totally worth lining up to get your rack of ribs, while enjoying the free, live music!” MEDIA CONTACT: Gloria Suhasini, Rotary Club of Pickering, 647.463.4354; gloria.suhasini@pickeringrotary.ca / info@pickeringrotary.ca