• Stouffville’s Ribfest returns to Memorial Park from Aug. 8 to 10.
  • The event will feature four rib teams, food trucks, local brewers, and live entertainment.
  • Headliner Fefe Dobson performs Saturday, with Nate Haller taking the stage Friday night.
  • The Kids’ Zone adds fun for all ages, and attendees can shop at the Ribfest Marketplace.
  • Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services plan to be on site Saturday afternoon to spray down attendees looking to cool off.
  • On offer Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. is a special $3 discount on half rack rib dinners.
  • Parking restrictions and road closures will be in effect, with overflow parking at local schools.

 

Ribfest, one of Stouffville’s signature summer events, returns to Memorial Park from Friday, Aug. 8 to Sunday, Aug. 10. The three-day festival will once again offer mouth-watering barbecue, local brews, family-friendly attractions, and live entertainment.

This year’s ribbers include Fat Boys, Sticky Fingers BBQ & Company, Texas Rangers, and Uncle Sam’s Smoke House. On the beverage side, local favourite Muddy York Brewing Co. will be pouring alongside Town Brewery, Craft360, and Ace Beverage.

A dozen food trucks will round out the culinary offerings, serving everything from funnel cakes and donuts to pizza and fresh-roasted corn on the cob.

The entertainment lineup spans the entire weekend, beginning with a land acknowledgement and traditional Ojibwe song and dance from Jared Big Canoe on Friday. Afterwards, Sully Burrows and Nate Haller will take to Memorial Park’s bandshell stage.

Saturday will see Olivia Mae Graham, STEPH, and XPRIME perform before headliner Fefe Dobson’s set at 8:15 p.m. On Sunday, Step In Time Country line dancing will have the crowd moving their feet, and Fiddlestix will close out the musical festivities.

Younger guests can enjoy the Ribfest Kids’ Zone, which includes midway rides and games. Additionally, the Ribfest Marketplace will feature eight vendors selling handmade goods, books, gifts, and specialty foods. But that’s not all:

“We’re excited to introduce a few new elements for 2025, including a water activation courtesy of Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services (WSFES) on Saturday afternoon,” Town spokesperson Cassandra Papas said in comments to Bullet Point News. “It will be perfect for cooling off in the August heat.”

“WSFES is all set and will be at the park by 2:15 to set up the firetruck,” Mayor Iain Lovatt added. “Barring an emergency call, they’ll be spraying water from 3 to 4 p.m. It should be a fun hour on what’s expected to be a sweltering day.”

Event hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. A digital coupon for $3 off a half rack rib dinner is available for Sunday attendees until 3 p.m., which can be found online and presented in print or on a mobile device.

Road closures will be in effect throughout the weekend. Burkholder Street, from Park Drive to Franklin Street, will be closed for the duration of the event. Park Drive will also be inaccessible between Booth Drive and the northern entrance of the Stouffville Leisure Centre.

Overflow parking will be available at several local schools, including École Catholique Pape-François, Summitview Public School, Wendat Village Public School, and St. Brendan Catholic School. In response to ongoing concerns from area residents about blocked driveways and illegal parking, the Town is reminding all attendees that parking restrictions will be strictly enforced.

To help keep families safe during the event, the Town is offering free wristbands for children and vulnerable individuals. Available at any of the four Town tents located near event entrances, caregivers are encouraged to write their contact details on each wristband. If someone becomes separated from their group, event staff can use the information provided to help reunite them.

A panel of judges will gather Sunday at 5 p.m. to sample and score this year’s ribbers for best ribs and sauce, with the winners revealed an hour later during an on-stage announcement. Visitors can cast their own votes for their favourite rib team, with People’s Choice ballots available by scanning the QR codes displayed at entrances.

“Last year’s Ribfest saw approximately 50,000 visitors over the weekend,” Papas told us. “Attendance has been steadily climbing year over year, which speaks to the event’s growing popularity and the strong community support behind it.”