Toronto Ribfest – Rotary Club of Etobicoke
The Rotary Club of Etobicoke is the producer of the Toronto Ribfest a renowned annual Ribfest held in Centennial Park in Etobicoke over the Canada Day long weekend. The Rotary Club of Etobicoke has been operating the Toronto Ribfest continuously since 2001 (even as a drive-thru event during COVID-19).
The Event is well-known throughout the Greater Toronto Area and has developed an enviable reputation as a high-quality family-friendly fundraising event. On average, over 60,000 people attend the Event each year. Well-known Canadian magazine Toronto Life has described Toronto Ribfest as “a staple in the meat lover’s summer calendar” and a “time-honoured summer tradition
The Ribfest event is well-known as a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Etobicoke Indeed, Ribfest is the Rotary Club of Etobicoke’s premier fundraising initiative. Historically run exclusively by volunteers, all monies raised from the event are passed directly to community and charitable causes such as Shelterbox Canada, Youth Without Shelter, Backpacks for Students, Salvation Army, Kids Against Hunger, St Vincent de Paul, Global Medic and many more. Over the last 20+ years, the Event has been a huge success raising up to $250,000 annually from admissions donations alone, and over $3 million in total for such causes.
Additional information about our club activities can be viewed on the Rotary Etobicoke website.
Toronto Ribfest Cause
Over $3 million raised…and still growing!
Toronto Ribfest is 100% volunteer driven, and proud to put 100% of the proceeds back into the community. Through the Rotary Club of Etobicoke, we also support a large number of select international programs that help make our world a better place.
You can help make that happen when you bring the family, round up your friends, or come entertain your clients at this year’s Toronto Ribfest!
Promoting peace
Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. We train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas.
Fighting disease
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas.
Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day. We don’t just build wells and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term.
Saving mothers and children
Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
Supporting education
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
Growing local economies
We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
Service Above Self
Rotary Etobicoke members volunteer their year planning and hosting the Toronto Ribfest so that we can raise money for important community organizations and international aid programs. 100% of the money raised is given away as grants!
In the past 25 years through funds raised at Toronto Ribfest, Rotary Etobicoke has donated over $3 million to humanitarian organizations, including:
- Albion Neighbourhood Center
- Anduhyaun Inc.
- Angel Foundation for Learning
- Arts Etobicoke
- Basketeers
- Broad Reach Foundation for Youth Leaders
- Cameron Helps
- Camp Enterprise (Youth Program)
- Central Etobicoke High School
- David Hornell Junior School Parent Council
- Dorothy Ley Hospice
- Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women
- Equally Healthy Kids Breakfast Program
- Etobicoke General Hospital
- Etobicoke Services for Seniors
- Eva`s Initiatives
- Expect Theatre/Spark Collective
- F.E.A.T. for Children of Incarcerated Parents
- Famous People Players
- Father Henry Carr CSS
- FoodShare Toronto
- Franklin Horner Community Center
- Furniture Bank
- Gatehouse
- Habitat For Humanity
- Haven on the Q
- Humber College Institute Scholarships
- Invictus Rugby Football Club
- Jean Tweed Centre
- Kids Against Hunger
- Kids Now
- Kipling Collegiate Leadership Camp
- 1st Lakeshore Scout Troop
- Lakeshore Arts
- Lakeshore Out of the Cold Program
- Social Planning Toronto
- LAMP
- Lights on for Seniors
Loyan Foundation - Moroccan Youth Association
- MicroSkills / Rotary Youth Centre
- P.A.C.T. (Youth Crime Reduction Program)
- Rathburn Area Youth
- Rexdale Community Health Centre
- Rotary Peace Park
- Rotary Youth Scholarships
- Salvation Army
- Scarlett Heights Entrepreneurial Academy
- Seneca School
- Second Harvest
Shelterbox
- Society of St Vincent de Paul – St. Theresa`s Church
- St. James Food Basket
- St. Joseph’s Hospital
- St. Matthew`s Anglican Church, Islington
- St. Margaret’s Out of the Cold Program, Mimico
- Saint Vincent de Paul Society
- Stonegate Community Health Centre
- Stonegate Ministry
- Thistletown Collegiate Institute
- The Training Renewal Foundation
- The Troup Program (Toronto Outreach Program for Youth)
- Toronto Fire Dept. Defibrillator
- Toronto Foundation for Student Success
- Toronto Rehab Foundation
- Trillium Hospital
- W.A.V.E. – Empowering Youth
- Welcome Baby
- West Park Healthcare
- Women`s Habitat
- Youth Without Shelter
