Border City Connects' 3rd Annual Ribfest took over the Lloyd Ex last weekend with four different vendors to choose from. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Barbecue lovers followed their noses to the Lloyd Ex this past weekend as Border City Connects held its 3rd Annual Ribfest.
After the success of the event’s first two years, which were drive-thru-style, Border City Connects executive director, Glenn Fagnan, was excited to bring the event back again, only this year it was a live event.
“It feels a bit different,” he said on Sunday afternoon.
“We’ve certainly experienced some learning curves here today, but it’s been really good. I think people are really enjoying the vibe of it as well as the music. We’ve had beer gardens all weekend as well, so a lot of people are coming in, enjoying their ribs and having a beer; it’s all good.”
This year’s festival included ribs from newcomer Blazin’ BBQ, and returning were crowd favourites Pistol Pete’s, Billy’s Bones BBQ, and Buckeye BBQ.
Fagnan also noted the lines at each of the four vendors were consistent all weekend with lines reaching as great as 30-40 people.
“The crowds have been tremendous all weekend. I know our rib guys are really happy, especially Saturday since there were line-ups for ribs from 3 p.m. right until 9 p.m.,” said Fagnan.
Funds raised throughout the weekend go towards supporting Border City Connects’ services.
Border City Connects, formerly known as the Lloydminster Handivan Society, provides transportation to the residents of Lloydminster and area that have special needs or mobility issues.
“Funds are going to support our operational side to things,” said Fagnan.
“We’ve been getting nailed on the fuel side of things and it’s costing us twice as much now on the operation side of things, so our costs have gone up quite significantly, so funds raised are going towards basic operation.”
Fagnan also explained ridership has been steady as of late, with a bit of a lull during the pandemic.
“One of our divisions is Border City Express,” he said. “We use it to help people in wheelchairs or who have disabilities, both physically and or intellectually, so that ridership has really increased now that the pandemic has slowed down and facilities are back to where they used to be.”
Of course, raising funds to help keep the transportation service operation is important, but Fagnan also pointed out the importance of awareness.
“We were known as the Lloydminster Handivan for 42 years. Two years ago we rebranded things from the Lloydminster Handivan to Border City Connects because of the different divisions we have,” he said.
“Since the rebranding, the challenge has been for people to recognize Border City Connects as the Handivan society, and this event is really good for that.”
