The tantalizing smell of barbecued meat is wafting through the air in downtown Barrie today and you have three days to savour its flavour.
The Barrie Craft Beer and BBQ Festival is underway at Heritage Park with many selections of flame-cooked ribs, chicken and pulled pork to choose from.
Trey Cordle of Silver Bullet BarBQ said there is lots of work to do before tons of ribs are sold, but the multiple award-winning booth is ready for the weekend.
“Oh man, we’ll sell thousands of ribs and get started at 11 a.m. and go right to 11 p.m. tonight, then start it all over again tomorrow and Sunday,” said Cordle. “Right now, everyone is pulling the pork and mashing it up for tonight and we’ve got ribs coming out of the smoker. We’re definitely ready to go.”
The Texas-based Silver Bullet is one of several stops at the weekend event. But there's more than just barbecue to enjoy, there are also dessert trucks, a lemonade stand and, of course, the craft beer section with up to 12 different breweries to choose from.
BIA managing director Craig Stevens said it will be a busy weekend that shouldn’t be missed.
“This is downtown Barrie’s backyard barbecue and we do everything we can to make it feel that way,” said Stevens. “We bring the waterfront to the people. With the way we align the tents and beer garden area, you can smell the food from all over."
The event also features "great live entertainment. Lighthouse is really popular 14-piece band from the 60’s and 70’s who are still going strong.”
The Downtown Barrie Craft Beer and BBQ Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
