Ribbers beefing over territory and money

The Rotary Club of Burlington-Lakeshore, the charitable organization behind "Canada’s Largest Ribfest", is not exactly in the most giving mood these days. The club is caught up in a heated battle with brand new privately-run competitor the Northern Heat Rib Series.

Why you ask? Well, the owner of the latter privately held Ribfest, Justin Brown, has decided to bring his event to the city of Hamilton in June, almost thrtee months of The Burlington Rotary’s 20^th annual festival set to open this Labour Day Weekend. According to the Rotary, the timing is too close.

While one might think a charitable organization as well-known and respected as your local Rotary club would be inclined to simply send a friendly reminder to a fellow citizen about its event and maybe even find a way to co-exist, the Burlington-Lakeshore chapter has decided to get down and dirty in this turf war over deliciously barbecued meat and take things to another level.

After letters sent from multiple Rotary clubs to Northern Heat Rib Series owner Justin Brown did not result in a resolution, the powers that be at the Rotary club, including the charitable ribfest’s co-chair Jeremy Racicot, decided to axe a ribber who had previously agreed to participate in both events. Quite the saucy move to say the least!

In fear of having the same thing happen to them, other ribbers and one major sponsor decided to pull out of Brown’s event. Brown maintains that he has always been opening to meeting with his rib-loving adversaries to discuss how the two sides could find a way to get along, but said the Rotary club didn’t respond to his offer.

As for Racicot and the folks at The Rotary Club of Burlington-Lakeshore, while they have no intention of doing anything to directly damage Brown’s business, the line in the sand has been drawn as Racicot says ribbers in Brown’s circuit may not be a good fit for his charitable event going forward.

So much for not having a cow over beef.