Ribber Brandon Freeman works the grill at the Buckeye Barbecue booth Saturday during the third annual Ribfest in Medicine Hat. - NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
Rib lovers in Medicine Hat were treated this weekend to the third annual Ribs for Kids event held in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Medicine Hat.
The event was held at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Grounds this year and featured five rib vendors, food trucks, a play space, a market, live music and more.
“It’s great and the weather is holding for us – which is fantastic,” said BBBS executive director Holly Stadnicki. “We’ve seen a lot of people coming through the gate and it’s been nice and steady for us.”
Stadnicki says the event was not held at the mall, like previous years, because of construction at the mall and a lack of space for new additions to the event.
“We’re trying to add every year and we just couldn’t get quite enough space this year,” she said. “We’re happy with the Stampede this year and we’re happy with this space.”
Stadnicki says the event brought in $33,000 last year and that she is hoping to see a similar number this year.
“If we can bring as much as last year – we’ll be just as happy,” she said. “The support from our community is always great.”
As for where money raised will go, Stadnicki says the organization’s programming is always the top priority.
“A lot of this money will help us with our fall programs,” she said. “Our programming is expanding and growing and there’s lots of children eager to have a mentor and we want to make sure every one of them gets one.”
