The 24th annual Brockville Ribfest is set to take over Hardy Park from August 7 to 9, 2026, offering three days of award-winning barbecue, live music, and family activities with free admission for all. This year’s event marks a new chapter as it is now organized by BGC South East (Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and Area), stepping in after the closure of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville at the end of 2025.
Six competing ribbers, over 40 artisans and vendors, food trucks, a Kid’s Zone, a beer garden, and live entertainment are all part of the festivities. The weekend also features a rib eating contest, an arm wrestling competition, the Hyundai Beach Volleyball Tournament, the Cops & Kids Fishing Derby, and the Ribfest Idol competition. Hardy Park, located at 101 Water St. W in downtown Brockville, provides a scenic waterfront setting along the St. Lawrence River.
Bev Heuving, who previously organized Ribfest as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, now serves as Program Director of BGC South East and continues to lead the event with the same committee. “In the first six months of the year, BGC served some 650 local young people, who either attended the two locations or were served in school,” said Heuving. The organization runs programs at St. Lawrence College’s Brockville campus and in Kemptville, including summer camps, after-school activities for youth aged 12 to 16, and STEM education.
Last year’s Ribfest raised approximately $80,000 for local youth services, and organizers aim to match that target again in 2026. Funds raised this weekend will directly support BGC South East’s work with children and teens in Leeds and Grenville. Sponsors for the event include Sleeman Breweries as the beverage sponsor, along with The Butcher Shop, Brockville Hyundai, Kriska, Giant Tiger, and support from the City of Brockville and Experience Ontario.
Volunteers are still needed for setup and teardown, canteen operations, and parking. Anyone interested can sign up through the event’s volunteer page. Setup begins August 6, with teardown continuing through August 12.
