Guests line up for their dinner at the Port Elgin Rotary Ribfeast, North Shore Park, August 6.

Hub Staff

The sun was shining down on North Shore Park on August 6 as Port Elgin Rotary Club hosted its third annual Ribfeast (formerly Ribfest), with all the proceeds from the event going to the Rotary Club's $75,000 commitment to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital's Expansion Project in Southampton.

Families and friends gathered in the hundreds to enjoy ribs, sausage, corn on the cob, a variety of salads, rolls and dessert under the shade of the park's trees and listen to live music from the Easy Street Band.

Port Elgin Rotary president Bob Lunney said there had been a steady but constant stream of people since the gate opened at 5 p.m., adding that last year they were turning people away by around 8:30 p.m. “We just didn't have enough ribs,” said Lunney.

“It's been a great fundraiser for us,” said Rotarian Pier Donnini, owner of the Queen's Bar and Grill in Port Elgin, who provided the food for the event. Donnini said that they had cooked 200 racks of ribs, 450 cobs of corns, 300 sausages and 200 pounds of potato salad.

“I get a very specific kind of ribs, because it's got an extra layer on top so they're extra meaty,” explained Donnini. “We make a spice rub, our own design, and then we roast them slow, slow, slow, low heat and then we finish them here with a sauce.”

Rotarian Mark Kraemer said that last year they sold approximately 430 meals, raising just under $7,500, and were hoping for the same this year but said he was grateful for anything. “In the environment we're in and the market we're in there's a lot of competition for volunteering and charitable dollars so anything is wonderful and I appreciate these people coming out and helping us do this.”

Pier Donnini and Kate Brewer of Queen's Bar and Grill in Port Elgin, prepare the racks of ribs.

Saugeen Shores councillor Dave Myette and Rotarian Sibyl Henderson watch over sausages at the Port Elgin Rotary Club's Ribfeast.

Local eleven year olds, Morgen, left, and Sophia about to tuck into a tasty meal at Ribfeast at North Shore Park, August 6.

The Easy Street Band entertained families as they ate their meals in North Shore Park.

Left to right, Rotarians Melinda Myette, Pier Donnini, Past President Doug Gowanlock and President Bob Lunney were on hand cooking and serving guests at North Shore Park.
Families and friends sit down to enjoy their meal and listen to music at the third annual Port Elgin Rotary Ribfeast in North Shore Park.