The History Of Ribfests: Parties Dedicated To Tasty Meat

Sure, you can order a slab of ribs at some of the best restaurants across the nation like Pappy's Smokehouse in St. Louis or Bludso's Bar & Que in Los Angeles, or you can make them at home. Still, nothing signals summer quite like the scent of slow-smoked foods drifting through the air in the great outdoors. Ribfests — community gatherings where pitmasters battle for barbecue supremacy — are a cherished tradition throughout North America, where hungry fans sink their teeth into succulent, sauce-slathered racks. In addition to copious amounts of food, attendees revel in amusements such as live music, beer tents, carnival rides, and charity fundraisers that have raked in millions for local communities.

Slow-cooked meats have been a staple at Southern cookouts and church picnics since the 19th century, but it wasn't until the latter half of the 20th century that barbecue competitions became swarming organized events. Memphis, a city proudly devoted to its cuisine, played a pivotal role in shaping competitive barbecue. The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest began in 1978, and this large-scale competition highlighted ribs. Although events like this helped lay the foundation for modern ribfests, the movement truly emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

One of the earliest and most influential rib-centric assemblies was the Naperville Ribfest in Illinois, launched in 1988 by the Exchange Club of Naperville. During its three-decade run, the festival in the western Chicago suburb brought together world-class vendors while donating over $18 million to charities. Canada jumped on the bandwagon with the launch of the Burlington Ribfest in Ontario in 1996, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore. Canada's Largest Ribfest, as it's known today, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, with all proceeds going to charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army, YMCA, and Joseph Brant Hospital. By the early 2000s, ribfests exploded in popularity as they transformed into multiple-day-long parties.

Cities like Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Sparks, Nevada market their fairs as tourist attractions, boosting local economies and reinforcing the value of America's regional barbecues. The events often feature fierce cooking contests, where top pitmasters go head-to-head for prestigious titles and prizes. Winners can take home trophies, cash rewards, and the all-important bragging rights that can elevate a vendor's reputation.

Ribfests, in all their saucy, spirited glory, remain a summertime staple in towns from coast to coast, offering a spread of award-winning and victory-vying secret recipes. While the smoke may clear after a few days, the impact lingers.