MINDEMOYA—The Central Manitoulin Lions Club Annual Homecoming and Ribfest Weekend just keeps getting better and bigger in terms of events and attendance each year.
“We had a very good weekend with just over 6,000 in attendance for the weekend, which is up from last year,” stated Dale Scott, president of the Lions Club. “Saturday (June 29) we had the largest number of people going through and it was also the wettest day of the weekend, which just provides an example of how well things went.”
“The parade was huge, bigger than it has ever has been,” said Mr. Scott. The parade was dedicated to lifelong volunteers and proud Lions, the late Lew and Joanne Lanktree.
Lions Club vice president Alison Sloss said, “What an unforgettable weekend. The Central Manitoulin Lions Club and Manitoulin Ribfest are beyond grateful for the outpouring of support from our community. We thank each and every one of our sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and performers for their invaluable contributions. With their help, we were able to make this event a truly memorable experience for the 6,000 people who joined us! We look forward to seeing you again next year!”
“All the musicians were great,” said Mr. Scott. He pointed out the AC/DC tribute band, 21 Gun Salute, drew about 800 people out for their Saturday evening performance, despite the heavy rains. Everyone was under tents.
Local businessperson Wayne Legge let the Lions use his property for the fantastic fireworks, said Mr. Scott. “We had many in-kind donations made and lots of volunteers helped pull everything together. It was so nice to see the community pull together and proceeds from the event of course will go back into the community.”
There were many events and activities taking place from Friday right through the Monday Canada Day celebrations. “We had 57 kids take part in the soap box derby on Monday,” said Mr. Scott. “Steve Orford of Spring Bay provided the hay for barriers along the race route. This is the third year he has done this, and it is a big help. We had people on hand volunteering to put up tents, and we even had people come with trucks to help out as we had to have the entire ballfield area cleaned up by Tuesday night.”
“We had adult volunteers from the town and surrounding area help out and kids from elementary school public and high school kids help out. There must have been 10-12 who helped pitch in,” said Mr. Scott. “Who knows, maybe they will be Lions members or members of other service groups in the future.”
Among the many events was the Ribfest, with an amateur rib cookoff held with Darren Moxam having been selected by judges as having the best ribs. He was presented with a trophy and a cash prize of $300 for his efforts.
The winner of the 2024 Manitoulin Ribfest People’s Choice award for Best Ribs when to Jack the Ribber, who received 54 percent of votes cast. Other winners in the professional ribbers event saw Go Gonzalez win the trophy for best overall, while Jack the Ribber won the award for best ribs and best chicken. The prize for best sauce and best pulled pork went to Go Gonzalez while the organizers choice went to Made in America.
Joanna Pheasant of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory won the Lions Club fundraiser, called the Jake’s Ultimate Backyard package, valued at $6,000. The prize included a Broil King Signet 390 barbecue, a Broil King keg smoker and Ashley pub style fire table with four chairs.
The Lions 50/50 draw saw Marilyn Proulx of Mindemoya winning $192 on June 28, Perry Keller of Mindemoya won $501 on Saturday and donated half of the cash prize back to the Lions. On Sunday Mike Mantha won $399 and he donated it all back to the Lions. On July 1 Sean Elvy of Parry Sound won $97.50.
“We couldn’t have done it without all of the volunteers, not just the Lions but community volunteers,” said Marcus Mohr, secretary of the Lions Club. “Matthew Hallett, Karlene Scott, Adam Smith and Erin Smith, Wayne Legge, Randy Campbell, Andrew McGauley, Leslie McDermid who all provided a huge amount of help. Thank you to all our sponsors, especially platinum sponsors Jake’s Home Centre and E. Corbiere and Sons Contracting, and gold sponsors Manitoulin Transport, JJ Pole Line Construction and the municipality of Central Manitoulin. We had a lot of help, and it is truly appreciated.”
