Frequently Asked Questions

Organized and Hosted by

Frequently asked Questions about Ribfest

WHEN IS RIBFEST OPEN?

June 26 – 28, 2020 (rain or shine)
Friday: 4 pm -11 pm / Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm / Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm.

WHO ORGANIZES THE OAKVILLE FAMILY RIBFEST?

The Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar Foundation Inc. organizes and hosts the Ribfest every year.

WHAT IS THE COST OF ADMISSION?

Admission is $2, kids under 12 are free. Ribfest is a charitable fundraiser run by Rotary Club of Oakville  Trafalgar (RCOT).

DO RIBBERS, BEER TENTS OR VENDORS ACCEPT CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS?

No. All sales at Ribfest are CASH ONLY. There are 3 ATM’s on-site

CAN I BRING MY DOG OR OTHER PET?

Pets are prohibited in the event area due to the large crowds and food preparation. Service animals are permitted.

CAN I BRING MY BICYCLE OR SKATEBOARD?

Yes. Althought bicycle and skateboards are not allowed inside the gates, there are bike racks available by the the entrances.

IF IT'S HOT, IS THERE SHADE?

Large tents with tables and chairs are set up in the beer/wine sales area, but most of the site open ground with no trees. Bring hats and sunscreen.

CAN I BRING MY OWN DRINKS?

No. Alcoholic drinks and all open beverages will be confiscated at the gate

I’M DRIVING. WHERE ARE YOU?

Take the QEW to the Trafalgar Rd. exit and go north three blocks. From Hwy. 401, take the Trafalgar Rd. exit and go south. The location is about half-way between the QEW and Dundas St. (Hwy. 5), on the Sheridan College front parking lot on the west side of Trafalgar Rd. The street address, if using a GPS, is 1430 Trafalgar Rd., Oakville, ON L6H 2L1.

IS PARKING AVAILABLE?

Yes. We have parking on site, for $10 per car. Enter the on-site parking from White Oaks Blvd., immediately north of the Ribfest site. A shuttle will be available to take you from your car to the main Gate. Free parking is available at the Oakville Town Hall at 1225 Trafalgar Road, just south of the Ribfest site. There will be a free shuttle from the Town Hall location to the Ribfest Gate.

WHERE IS HANDICAP PARKING OR DROP-OFF?

Ribfest is on a paved parking lot, so is wheelchair friendly. Use the Ceremonial Drive entrance immediately south of the Ribfest site and follow the signs.

WHO SUPPLIES THE RIBS?

Sysco is the official supplier of pork ribs to our Rib Teams.

We are able to ensure that our customers receive consistent high-quality product and portion sizes.

WHAT OTHER KINDS OF FOODS ARE AVAILABLE?

Some rib teams offer beef ribs as well as the traditional pork ribs. Some also offer chicken (including Halal), grilled shrimp, salads, coleslaw, and baked beans. Other food vendors on site offer pizza, corn-on-the-cob, French fries, blooming onions, doughnuts, funnel cakes, Beaver Tails, popcorn, ice cream, candies and more.

ARE THERE VEGETARIAN FOODS AVAILABLE?

There will be salads, vegetarian pizza, corn-on-the-cob as well as veggie burgers available. Also many gluten-free options based on the ribbers individually. Some sauces are gluten-free, others are not.

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF RIBS?

All food vendors set their own prices for a full rack with a lower price for smaller portions (half racks and one-third racks). All prices include taxes. Ribbers take cash only, no cards.

ARE KIDS WELCOME?

Yes, this is a family-oriented event. Our free Kids’ PlayZone is a great place for you and your kids to have fun during the day. We have bouncy castles, facepainting, and loads more to see & do. Also on site will be a reasonably priced Children’s Carnival, including a giant Ferris Wheel and various rides. In addition we have Wildlife Rescue shows as well as the Home Depot hands-on building workshop. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please note that the music in the evenings will be targeted to adults.  

ARE THERE VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES?

The success of this charity event is truly dependent on the efforts of the volunteers. There are over 200 positions to be filled. Community Service credit is available for students. We would welcome your assistance. Meals are provided to volunteers (but they do not include ribs!). Volunteers should try to arrange to be dropped off and picked up at the site.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

This event is organized by Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar (RCOT), a non-profit organization. All profits from our club’s fundraising activities, such as the Oakville Family Ribfest, go to support projects in the community and around the world. For a list of projects we support, check out the “About Us” page.

CAN I TAKE THE BUS?

Yes, Oakville Transit Routes 5, 5A, 6 or 24 will take you right across from the Ribfest site at the Sheridan College campus. Regular Oakville Transit fares apply. Routes 5/5A travel along Dundas Street West between Oakville GO station and Dundas/Highway 407 in Burlington. Route 6 travels along Upper Middle Road between Bronte GO station and Laird/Ridgeway (Dundas and Winston Churchill area) in Mississauga. Route 24 travels along Dundas Street East between Oakville GO station and South Common Centre (Erin Mills Parkway and Burnhamthorpe Road) in Mississauga. Visit oakvilletransit.ca for route maps, schedules and fares information.

I HEAR THERE’S GREAT LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. WHAT BANDS ARE PLAYING, AND WHEN?

View the up-to-date band listings and schedule under the Schedule listing on our website.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WHILE I’M AT RIBFEST?

Yes! We also have other activities such as an escape room and football bowling and, of course, the amusement area.

We also run a Marketplace area with vendors selling clothing, sports memorabilia, temporary tattoos, jewellery, cosmetics and loads more. Many community groups will have booths for you to wander through. 

 

I’M INTERESTED IN HAVING A BOOTH TO SELL MY OWN PRODUCTS OR HANDICRAFTS. HOW CAN I BECOME A VENDOR?

At the bottom of the Vendor page you will find an application that can be emailed in. A 10′x10′ booth is $550, 10′x20′ is $1,100, and 20′x20′ is $2,200.

IS THERE ACCOMMODATION NEARBY?

Yes, you can stay right at Sheridan College through the Residence & Conference Centre. Visit their website to book: http://www.stayrcc.com/oakville

IS THERE CAMPING NEARBY?

Yes, at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Dr., Oakville, ON L6M 4J7, tel. 905-827-6911, website: http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/bron.html

IS SMOKING ALLOWED?

No, the Sheridan College grounds are a non-smoking area, so no smoking or vaping.

WHAT BEVERAGES ARE AVAILABLE?

White and red wines, regular and light beers, apple cider, pop and water are available.

HOW MUCH ARE THE TICKETS TO THE MIDWAY?

The number of tickets vary depending on which rides you take. For ticket prices, please go to http://robertsonamusements.com/pageserver/midway.

 

Contact Us

Write us an email: 

info@oakvillefamilyribfest.com

 

Volunteer

Ribfest truly apprciates

the support of our volunteers