‘Everything is finger-licking’: Medicine Hat Ribfest heating up downtown

Aug 26, 2022 | 3:38 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Only an hour after the grills were lit for Medicine Hat Ribfest, Eric Masters of Billy’s BBQ said it best.

“You don’t want your taste buds to be ringing and your mouth to be watering, don’t come down here, right?” he said. “Because everything is finger-licking, right? So right now we have brisket, we have chicken, we have pulled pork and we have our pork ribs. We love our pork ribs and do not forget our pulled pork as well so everything is delicious. Everybody has their menus and their combos and we’re ready to serve.”

Masters’ Billy’s BBQ rib truck is one of four parked at Towne Square this week for Medicine Hat Ribfest. Trucks from Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma and Alabama are here to, as he says, “bring the southern taste” to our city.

Masters and Billy’s BBQ have come to Medicine Hat for Ribfest the past four years and he says it grows and gets a little bit better each year.

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He thinks being at Towne Square will help this year’s Ribfest reach its fullest potential.

“Rotary did such a good job and that’s what it’s all about. I think this will bring the people in and give them a little bit more community for this weekend, right? because that’s what Ribfest is all about, bringing the family out and having fun,” Masters said. “Rotary is set up, a beer garden there and also have music live music with all local bands and local talent. So all we’re here to do is share the love and throw some ribs your way.”

The beer garden, hosted by Grit City Distillery and Travois Ale Works, is accessible to all ages and live music goes on throughout the weekend. The rib trucks will be serving grub until 9 p.m. Friday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Proceeds from the event will go to Rotary Clubs in Medicine Hat and other local not-for-profits.

For full details and the chance to win ribs, visit the Medicine Hat Ribfest Facebook page.

by Chris Brown

‘Everything is finger-licking’: Medicine Hat Ribfest heating up downtown

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