Burlington’s annual Ribfest celebration cancelled for 2020

Published May 21, 2020 at 7:41 pm

Burlington’s annual Ribfest celebration cancelled for 2020

COVID-19 has prompted the cancellation of a highly-anticipated summer event in Burlington.

COVID-19 has prompted the cancellation of a highly-anticipated summer event in Burlington.

On May 21, Rotary Burlington Lakeshore announced that it will be cancelling Canada’s Largest Ribfest for 2020. 

The event was slated to run from Sept. 4-7. 

“While we have watched for positive trends and are seeing the beginning of gradual and cautious reopening phases; we continue to face uncertainty as to what the coming summer months will bring in terms of access to parks, facilities or whether we will experience relaxed or further enhanced public safety protocols,” the organization said in a letter posted to its website.

“It has become increasingly clear that large scale public events in 2020 will be impossible and impractical to take place. With that in mind, it is with deep regret that the unfortunate decision has been made to cancel Canada’s Largest Ribfest for 2020.” 

The organization says the cancellation “comes as a huge disappointment” to everyone involved. 

According to the letter, the event has run for 25 years and has raised close to $4.5 million for local and international charities. The organization says that work has already begun on organizing other “new and exciting fundraising initiatives” that will support people in need. 

Rotary Burlington Lakeshore is encouraging residents to donate to a local charity that would have benefited from the event, such as Halton Food For Life, the Burlington Food Bank, Food4Kids, Halton Women’s Place, Joseph Brant Hospital and others. 

The organization says it’s planning “an even bigger better” 25th edition of the Ribfest in 2021. 

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