60 Before 60 Project: #42 - Go to RibFest

Every summer for the past few years (except during COVID), there was a RibFest held in a nearby community. I saw the promotions and always wondered what it was. I envisioned it was a sort of cooking show type event with different people who had a passion for BBQ showing up and cooking and sharing their talents and food with the people who attended. 

First a couple of things.

I like BBQ but I’m not overly crazy about it. My husband takes a much keener interest in BBQing and spends a great deal of time learning more about the techniques, the rubs, the marinades and all the rest. He has now reached a point that he’s pretty darn good at it and challenges some of the best BBQ places I’ve eaten at. 

Secondly, we are fortunate that we eat at restaurants quite frequently. Because of this, I realize now that this may have tainted my expectations and experience at Ribfest.  

I just wanted to share this information up front as everyone approaches these types of events with different perspectives. 

So, with this in mind, off to Ribfest we went. 

When we arrived at the location, I was amazed at the Fairground feeling it had. There were a few rides, a number of different tents with people selling or promoting different products, a stage for performers and then the major food set up. 

Big billboards were set up behind the people cooking the BBQ. The BBQ grills were large and staffed with a minimum of 4 or 5 people.

Chicken, ribs and cornbread were being offered and the lineup for the food was very long. I wandered around the site in amazement at all the people lined up or sitting at picnic tables.  

But I just couldn’t seem to bring myself to wait in line to try the food. 

Maybe it’s because I already am spoilt by having access to great BBQ. Maybe it was because of the price they were charging was similar to what you would pay being served in a restaurant and I couldn’t justify paying that much.  

But as I looked around, I saw so many other people were enjoying this experience.

I then realized that maybe it was just that this event just wasn’t for me. 

Guess that is also what I’m learning through my 60 Before 60 Project.

Some things I’ll like and some I won’t. And that’s okay. That's the great thing - we all can like different things. The trick is to try something and see if you’ll like it then that way you will know for sure in the future. 

My 60 Before 60 Life Lesson: The benefit of trying different things is that you discover what you do and don’t like. 

Interested in seeing all my 60 Before 60 experiences? Click here.