The Newmarket Rib and Beer Festival returns to Upper Canada Mall May 26 to 28 with its five award-winning competition barbecue teams, including Kentucky Smokehouse, Big Hank’s BBQ Shack, Louisiana BAR-B-QUE, Texas Jack’s BBQ Pit and Oak & Barrel.
New to the festival this year is an exciting Kids Zone featuring live entertainment by the Canine Circus with special guests, Pirate Life.
In addition to new family-friendly entertainment, festival organizers expect to feature many other mouth-watering festival foods, beer, wine and cocktails and a lineup of live country and rock music featuring local artists, according to a news release.
While you will find winning samplings of pork and beef ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork and barbecue chicken among the offerings, the festival will also highlight an array of other food options, including festival favourites like cornbread, cotton candy, poutine and vegetarian options.
The festival’s Beer Market will feature an ice cold selection of Molson beer with a variety of domestic, craft beer, vodka cocktails as well as ready to drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks or beverages, so you won’t leave thirsty.
With the new kids zone, families can experience Canine Circus as seen on Canada’s Got Talent. Witness the four-legged cast members perform tail-wagging feats of courage, bone-dropping grand illusions, and labradorable stunts. Plus, interactive activities with Pirate Life include a 20-foot pirate ship, receiving your pirate name and balloon pirate sword, and testing your luck to win a prize.
The Northern Heat Rib Series supports the Newmarket Rotary Club at its stop here.
“Northern Heat Rib Series is one of southern Ontario’s largest summer festival tours. We are excited to be back and continuously improving our festival operations, bringing new entertainment, local acts, and heating up the grills to serve up the best festival foodn” said owner and event organizer Robyn Wilson.
The Newmarket festival schedule runs Friday, May 26 from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday, May 27 from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday, May 28 from noon to 11 p.m.
Live music will kick off on Friday with Country Night, Saturday with Rock the Park, and Sunday’s entertainment will be a Music Mash-up. Newmarket’s line-up features local musicians Johnny Anderson, Peter Peres, John Atlee Band, Sandra Good Band, Lakeside Groove, The Spinal Theory, Pearl Jamming, Wicked Truth, Black Suit Devil, Po’Boy Jeffreys and Calamity Jane, and Classic Shock Band.
Admission $2, children age 12 and under get in free.
Upper Canada Mall is at 17600 Yonge St. The Northern Heat Rib Series is set to make a total of 16 stops running in big cities and small towns across Ontario until Sept. 10.
