Downtown Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show | July 20-22, 2012

[UrbanWaterloo]

Downtown Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show
Victoria Park
July 20-22, 2012
Friday 5pm-10pm ; Saturday noon-10pm ; Sunday noon-6pm
www.kitchenerribandbeerfest.com

http://impacteventsgroup.ca/siteimages/RF2007-8.JPG

[Urbanomicon]

I'm looking forward to this. I went last year and the ribs were phenominal. The only downside was the lack of available seating, you pretty much had to eat standing up.

[Shawn]

I've missed this the last 3 years!! I seem to always get the weekends confused! Last year I spent the whole week, Monday to Friday, looking forward to Ribfest only to get to Saturday to discover I missed it by one week!! I'm marking this in my personal calendar right now!!

[UrbanWaterloo]

Saturday July 18, 2009

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Sunday July 19, 2009

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http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/Culture/DowntownKitchenerRibfestCraftBeerSh.jpg

[Urbanomicon]

A few photos from Ribfest 2009.

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/Urbanomicon/Ribfest%202009/19-07-09_1432.jpg
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http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/Urbanomicon/Ribfest%202009/19-07-09_1526.jpg?t=1269308009

[Spokes]

Im in the same boat as Shawn, I always seem to be out of town. This weekend, I'll be there. You all heard it!

And I've heard the same thing about the lack of seating. Too bad they cant borrow picnic tables from somewhere, or something to that effect.

[UrbanWaterloo]

The trick is to go in a minimum group of three. Have one person go on a table hunt, one stand in the beer token line (30 min - make sure you buy the maximum 20 tokens) and one in the food line (a good 30 minutes as well). My favourite was the scalloped potatoes - soooo good while drinking beer! Speaking of which, the most popular beer sample appeared to be "Green Apple" in 2009.

[Greg Moore]

Let's hope we see far less fall coats in July this year.

[garthdanlor]

I've gone a few times, but the crazy line-ups for beer tickets are just too much so I'm not going this year...unless Grand River Brewing finally makes an appearance.

[Shawn]

Ribfest & Craft Beer Show --2010 Update
July 16-18, 2010
Victoria Park
FREE ADMISSION!
Friday 5pm-10pm
Saturday noon-10pm
Sunday noon-6pm
http://www.kitchenerribandbeerfest.com/main2.cfm

Welcome to the Downtown Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show!

Barbequed ribs and chicken, great craft-brewed beer, live entertainment - all in the great atmosphere of Victoria Park. Life doesn't get much better! Bring your friends, family and co-workers and savour the flavour!

Admission is free but donations to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (http://www.thefoodbank.ca/) will be accepted at the gate. Please note that due to the nature of the event, anyone under the age of 19 must be accompanied by an adult (ie. your parents) to be admitted.

MIDWAY RETURNS! Due to the overwhelming success last year, the midway will be returning. Operated by GTA Midways, the family midway will be running adjacent to the Ribfest providing fun activities for children of all ages

[Spokes]

In the past have any of the days been better than the others? Or will I get the same experience any day/night?

[Spokes]

Just noticed this years list of brewers and it looks great! Looking forward to it.


Amsterdam Brewing Co.
Big Rock Brewery
Brick Brewing Co.
Cameron's Brewing Company
F&M Brewery
Great Lakes Brewery
Mill Street Brewery
Nickel Brook Beers
Railway City Brewing Company
Steam Whistle Brewing
The Flying Monkey's Craft Brewery
Wellington Brewery

[UrbanWaterloo]

I'd say Friday Evening is the best, followed by Saturday Evening (weather depending of course). Sunday's are usually dead in comparison. Make sure you delegate responsibility for food and beer. As soon as you get there have one person immediately start standing in the beer token line and have them buy the maximum coins (20 in previous years). Have someone else start standing in the food lines. This is because the line-ups can easily take 30 minutes to get through. It's hardly fun to wait 30 minutes as is, but don't make the mistake of waiting consecutively (60 minutes) rather do the waiting concurrently.

[Urbanomicon]

If I remember correctly, they judge the winner for best ribs Saturday afternoon. So if you're interested in which vender has the best, you'll want to be present then.

[Spokes]

Ribfest to take over Victoria Park this weekend

July 14, 2010
Record staff

Victoria Park will be sizzling this weekend as the annual Downtown Kitchener Ribfest and Craft Beer Show takes roots for three days of food and fun.

Taking place Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., this year’s food and drink festival will feature seven ribbers and 12 breweries for the tasting pleasure of the expected crowd of around 20,000. Admission is free, although donations to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region will be accepted at the gate.

There will be two new competitors at this year’s rib showdown, with Alabama-based Camp 31 BBQ and Ontario’s Blazin BBQ joining five other booths to tempt visitors’ taste buds. Food prices will range between $6 for a pulled pork sandwich to $22 for a full rack rib dinner.

For those who want variety, there will also be other food vendors on hand serving ice cream, cotton candy and barbecued vegetables among other things.

After you fill your belly, there will be more than 50 different brands of beer from the dozen craft breweries that have signed up for this year’s craft beer show. Beer samplers must purchase a $6 wristband to try the brewers’ work, with each four-ounce sample costing $1.

On top of the variety of beers available, those who are thirsty can also cool down with water, pop, lemonade, and the work of an Ontario cooler company.

The midway will also return for this year’s festival, along with live entertainment each evening. For more information, people can log on to www.kitchenerribandbeerfest.com.

[Spokes]

So....who's going?

[Spokes]

Went tonight, and was packed! And I had a blast. My first experience was amazing and won't be my last. Wont even be my last this year.

As UrbanWaterloo mentioned, its worth waiting in line in teams. The beer line was probably close to 45 mins (we got there at 645 and I imagine the line got longer as the night went on.) And then have someone go get food. We probably waited 10 mins for food (3 mins the 2nd time around - at the end of the night, if you want an end of the night snack, do it, they'll load the pulled pork sandwhich up with 2x the meat. Trust me, I know!)

Great food, beer, music and people. Cant wait for tomorrow.

A few of us were commenting, this weekend is probably like Boxing Day for downtown bars. All these half to completely boozed people being pushed out between 10 and 11, they've got to go somewhere for more! It'd be interesting to see the downtown bar's numbers jump tonight

[KLM]

Went tonight, and was packed! And I had a blast. My first experience was amazing and won't be my last. Wont even be my last this year.

As UrbanWaterloo mentioned, its worth waiting in line in teams. The beer line was probably close to 45 mins (we got there at 645 and I imagine the line got longer as the night went on.) And then have someone go get food. We probably waited 10 mins for food (3 mins the 2nd time around - at the end of the night, if you want an end of the night snack, do it, they'll load the pulled pork sandwhich up with 2x the meat. Trust me, I know!)

Great food, beer, music and people. Cant wait for tomorrow.

A few of us were commenting, this weekend is probably like Boxing Day for downtown bars. All these half to completely boozed people being pushed out between 10 and 11, they've got to go somewhere for more! It'd be interesting to see the downtown bar's numbers jump tonight

lol ,I wonder how many calls police are going to receive because of bar fights!

[Spokes]

lol ,I wonder how many calls police are going to receive because of bar fights!

I wouldnt expect many. There werent tons of cops there tonight, a few I knew and they said things were calm, which was clear to any observer. Why would you expect bar fights?

[KLM]

I wouldnt expect many. There werent tons of cops there tonight, a few I knew and they said things were calm, which was clear to any observer. Why would you expect bar fights?

hey thats common thing in downtown k-town.

[Spokes]

hey thats common thing in downtown k-town.

Really? Proof? I would be willing to guess that there's actually more drunken bar fights among university kids at 140/Fubar/Caesars. But you must have some kind of stats to prove your point right?

[Greg Moore]

There is a developing trend of hostility in these forums. That is disappointing.

[KLM]

This post was removed by a moderator. Please keep discussion civil.

[Spokes]

everytime after last call ,if you have enough drunk people somebody will make some mess. not only downtown kitchener ,everywhere.

I am not one of those people who is going to search all over internet to show you stats.To me thats irelelvant. Would you ask any taxi driver what he goes thru with drunk people coming home?

I honestly don't think its that bad, part of which is because theres not that many bars with that many drunk people elsewhere. Theres far greater concentration of drunk people downtown. For you to say that it's a common thing downtown, I thought had little justification.

[Urbanomicon]

So....who's going?

I'll be heading up to Ribfest tomorrow. I was at the Jazz Festival tonight. I'll post some pictures of both before the weekend is out.

[Spokes]

I'll be heading up to Ribfest tomorrow. I was at the Jazz Festival tonight. I'll post some pictures of both before the weekend is out.

How was Jazz Festival? You'll have a blast tomorrow night. I'll probably swing by a again for a bit.

[jay]

I went yesterday and going stop by today also. The lines were insane yesterday for tokens... I must say I despise that system.

[RangersFan]

There is a developing trend of hostility in these forums. That is disappointing.
Unfortunatly I agree. I was just gloating last week to my friend about the environment on WW and that rarley the conversations got out of hand, I hope I didn't speak to soon. I really enjoy the free speech environment on these forums, lets try to keep things from getting personal etc.

[garthdanlor]

The lines were insane yesterday for tokens... I must say I despise that system.
Totally agree. I've stopped going because of this.

Anyone know why Grand River Brewing avoids this event? I have seen them at smaller beer & cask events in Toronto. You would think it would be an excellent way to market themselves locally. Maybe the booths are expensive??

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

The lines were insane yesterday for tokens... I must say I despise that system.

And paying $6 for a domestic beer after waiting in line forever? :p

[garthdanlor]

And paying $6 for a domestic beer after waiting in line forever? :p

Plenty of domestic craft beers are worth $6 a pint but I don't think many are worth a 45 minute line-up.

[UrbanWaterloo]

The beer itself is actually very affordable. It works out to roughly $3 a bottle as the tokens are $1 each and the 4oz glass is ~120ml.

The line-ups are nuts (I did pre-warn everyone though :p), but in a way that's a good sign though as it's much better to have a packed festival than a dead one. At the same time they should add more staff to the token booth. It's common sense that on a hot Friday night, tons of people are going to head over after work, and they should have called in extra workers to help handle the rush. TIP: try to go in a group of people and buy the maximum 20 tokens at a time.

[mpd618]

TIP: try to go in a group of people and buy the maximum 20 tokens at a time.

Sounds like one could make a decent profit by standing in line, buying the maximum, and then selling them to people who value their time. I'd consider going to the Ribfest, but I have zero interest in standing in line.

[Spokes]

I went yesterday and going stop by today also. The lines were insane yesterday for tokens... I must say I despise that system.

Ya terrible for tokens. There should be a line for tokens and wristbands and then another couple booths for tokens only.

That being said when I was there the food lines were reasonable and went quickly.

[Spokes]

Unfortunatly I agree. I was just gloating last week to my friend about the environment on WW and that rarley the conversations got out of hand, I hope I didn't speak to soon. I really enjoy the free speech environment on these forums, lets try to keep things from getting personal etc.

I appologize for anything that I may have said that was antagonistic. That wasn't my intention. I was just responding to a few comments that I thought were a bit out of left field and were unjustified/unnessecary. Never the less, I think WW can still be a place for great postive discussion and despite recent things, still is.

[UrbanWaterloo]

July 17, 2010

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The Beer Line...
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/Culture/Ribfest%20and%20Craft%20Beer%20Show/DowntownKitchenerRibfestCraftBee-9.jpg

...and The Beer Line
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Beer!
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Funny guys waving into the shot!
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[Spokes]

Went again tonight, and again another great night! I remember hearing that the green apple pilsner was good, tried it and I'd agree. They also make a maple porter that's quite good.

After trying a few of the different rib companies, Im going to have to give Boss Hogg the nod (in my books at least). The funny guy yelling they're the champs doesn't hurt the experience either

[Urbanomicon]

How was Jazz Festival? You'll have a blast tomorrow night. I'll probably swing by a again for a bit.

The Jazz Festival was great. I actually went again tonight. I couldn't believe the turnout. There was absolutely no walking space, every square inch of that parking lot was filled with people sitting or standing. I would say ~6000 people. I'll post pictures tonight or tomorrow.

[Spokes]

I doubt it'll happen but Id love for downtown/uptown businesses to release numbers from this weekend to see what kind of effect events like these have on downtown businesses.

[Urbanomicon]

These pictures are from 5:30PM on Saturday July 17, 2010.

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[UrbanWaterloo]

Thanks for all the photos, it was a fun event!

[Section ThirtyOne]

This years edition is quickly approaching: http://www.kitchenerribandbeerfest.com/main2.cfm

July 15 - 17, 2011 in Victoria Park
Friday: 5pm - 10pm
Saturday: Noon - 10pm
Sunday: Noon - 6pm

Always one of my favourite events of the summer, which is no coincidence given that two of my favourite consumables are featured. BBQ and beer. :RpS_thumbup:

[UrbanWaterloo]

Saturday July 16, 2011

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Culture/Downtown%20Kitchener%20Ribfest%20&%20Craft%20Beer%20Show/2011/Downtown%20Kitchener%20Ribfest%20&%20Craft%20Beer%20Show%202011%20-%20July%2016,%202011%20-%201%20Resized.jpg

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[garthdanlor]

Was there on Friday and it was incredibly busy. The beer was excellent (especially the Smashbomb & Dead Elephant) but I was hoping to see Grand River selling their wares. The organizers really have to do something about ticket sales. They desperately need more people selling the the tokens/wrist bands and also need to do something about the location of the line-up as it really got in the way. I'd move the wristband & initial token sales to the main gate and have another location or two selling additional tokens inside the main event. Really sucks waiting an hour in line in the boiling sun just to get tokens.

[WatDot]

Was there on Friday too and agree with token/line comment garthdanlor. They need to work on the process. When I left on Friday the line up was outside of the gates for tokens!!!

I also think they really need to look into table umbrellas for the seating areas. Not only does it help ensure elderly and young don't pass out, it will add ambiance. The big open space is kind of bland. I understand why it's held there but the table umbrellas would really be a good addition.

Glad to see the popularity of this event continue to grow each year. :RpS_thumbup:

[Greg Moore]

They should sell tokens in advance. Logistically it might be difficult since they probably don't have administration space, but something as simple as a booth at city hall in the week leading up to the event might be found worthwhile.

[markster]

Last year, there were roving token-ladies. They would walk down the line, and sell tokens to people who already had wrist-bands. I didn't see any this year, but I also didn't go at peak time.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Back again for another year, the festival starts tonight at 5PM!


Friday 5pm-10pm | Saturday noon-10pm | Sunday noon-6pm

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[Smore]

Went last night...they appeared to have more tables set up and the line to get wristbands was <10 mins when we went at about 6. Beer lines seemed shorter all night too.

[garthdanlor]

Went last night...they appeared to have more tables set up and the line to get wristbands was <10 mins when we went at about 6. Beer lines seemed shorter all night too.
Yes, ticket line was much faster this year but beer line-ups seemed about the same to me. Shame Grand River wasn't there, but it was a fun night with perfect weather.

[RangersFan]

I was able to go Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, had a great time both days. Lots of great beer to choose from.

[panamaniac]

Went down about 6pm yesterday with a couple of friends from Waterloo (she hadn't been Downtown in almost 30 years!) and I'm afraid we lasted all of five minutes - far too many people lined up for everything and a poor atmosphere, we thought, which I regretted as I was really looking forward to checking it out. Ended up going to a restaurant on King St -- the Downtown restaurants were dead empty as all business siphoned off to the out of towners selling ribs. If I could reinvent the event I would move it up to King Street - BBQ only and if people wanted craft beer, the local licenced restaurants could make it available.

[bcwessel]

Wow, those are some pretty drastic changes to an extremely successful event that is generally viewed quite favourably by the majority of attendees (and the broader community), especially considering it sounds like you spent more time thinking about how to fix it than you did at the actual festival itself.


Went down about 6pm yesterday with a couple of friends from Waterloo (she hadn't been Downtown in almost 30 years!) and I'm afraid we lasted all of five minutes - far too many people lined up for everything and a poor atmosphere, we thought, which I regretted as I was really looking forward to checking it out. Ended up going to a restaurant on King St -- the Downtown restaurants were dead empty as all business siphoned off to the out of towners selling ribs. If I could reinvent the event I would move it up to King Street - BBQ only and if people wanted craft beer, the local licenced restaurants could make it available.

[panamaniac]

Wow, those are some pretty drastic changes to an extremely successful event that is generally viewed quite favourably by the majority of attendees (and the broader community), especially considering it sounds like you spent more time thinking about how to fix it than you did at the actual festival itself.

Oh, well, different strokes for different folks, I guess. As you say, most people seem to enjoy it, it just didn't seem to be our thing. Going Uptown to check out Open Streets today, after taking a peek at the Strongman Competition at Kitchener City Hall as part of my reintroduction to K-W after 35 years of living elsewhere.

[bcwessel]

Precisely. It's not exactly my thing either (the beer is usually poorly poured and I hate waiting in lines), but it's an event that people look forward to all year long. Despite the fact that pre-10 o'clock is slow for downtown eateries over this weekend, I'll bet that most businesses are very happy to have that many people coming down to the core. I'm also assuming that most places open past 10 become very full when the festival shuts down for the night.


Oh, well, different strokes for different folks, I guess. As you say, most people seem to enjoy it, it just didn't seem to be our thing. Going Uptown to check out Open Streets today, after taking a peek at the Strongman Competition at Kitchener City Hall as part of my reintroduction to K-W after 35 years of living elsewhere.

[BuildingScout]

Precisely. It's not exactly my thing either (the beer is usually poorly poured and I hate waiting in lines), but it's an event that people look forward to all year long.

I went there around 12:30 today and the lineups were quite manageable. However I can see that later on they would have been quite a bit longer. The beer variety was great and the BBQed meat was top notch.