Social media speculation is rampant in the aftermath of Peterborough-Kawartha Rotary’s decision not to stage Ribfest in 2025, but the chair of the event says it came down to too much work for too little return.
Rotarian and event chair Sue Zambonin says while Ribfest has outgrown its home of Millennium Park, a decline in attendance since the pandemic forced the service club to take a long hard look at the merits of continuing to organize and host it. Zambonin adds a club committee looked at other potential locations for the event before deciding to call it a day.
Another factor, says Zambonin, is rising costs associated with staging an event of this magnitude.
Noting some members of the club wanted to carry on, citing the exposure it brings to Rotary and its work, Zambonin says members’ support of the event wasn’t an issue.
The most recent Ribfest event brought in just $10,000 for club-supported causes. The club, says Zambonin, will look at possibly hosting another major event in place of Ribfest.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
