A panoramic view of the five ribbers — from left, Camp 31, Texas Rangers, Crabby’s BBQ Shack, Billy Bones BBQ and Pistol Pete’s — vying for attendees’ votes and tastebuds on Sunday, the final day of this year’s three-day Rotary Ribfest at Open Hearth Park in Sydney. Photo by IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentChristy Justin and her three friends, all originally from India, had been looking forward to this year’s Rotary Ribfest for several months.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“After a long winter, this is something that we would always want to have,” said Justin, who now calls Sydney home. “Like, seeing a lot of people, meeting a lot of people, talking to different people, getting to eat a lot of different stuff, explore a lot of different stuff …”Article contentArticle contentArticle content“And this is the only place where you see everyone happy,” added Justin Jacob, one of Christy’s friends, as the four savoured their rib meals, sampling from the five ribbers on site for the 10th edition of Rotary Ribfest at Open Hearth Park in Sydney.Article content From left, Christy Justin, Jinitha Jijujj, Rijo Rajan and Justin Jacob, all from Sydney, enjoy their Rotary Ribfest meal during the final day of this year’s Sydney event on Sunday at Open Hearth Park. Photo by IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentThe four friends — Justin, Jacob, Jinitha Jijujj and Rijo Rajan — first arrived in Sydney several years ago as international students but now have remained in Sydney on open-work permits, Justin said.Article contentHaving an annual event such as Ribfest, Justin said, allows an opportunity to try something different than their usual delicacies.Article content“We love it. It’s like a break from everything to eat everything, explore everything,” she said.Article contentJustin, Jacob and Rajan each have attended previous Ribfests at Open Hearth Park, but for Jijujj, this was her first experience.Article content“I was working last year,” she said. “The others came here at least, like twice or thrice. But I love this; it’s so good.”Article contentArticle content From left, Evander Dennis, Morgan Francis and Fred Knockwood, all from Eskasoni, give their Rotary Ribfest meals a big thumbs-up on the final day of the event on Sunday at Sydney’s Open Hearth Park. Photo by IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentEskasoni pals Evander Dennis, Morgan Francis and Fred Knockwood all experienced their first Ribfest inside the site’s dining tent on Sunday.Article content“I got told this morning that there’s a Ribfest going on in Sydney,” Francis said. “They have barbecue. They have different types of food from different places, including the United States. And I was like, ‘I have to come down for this.’”Article contentFrancis agreed. “I find this amazing — especially after a night out (the previous night). You just come down here, grab some food, walk around, enjoy some music. It’s amazing.”Article content Chad and Allie Wilson of Louisdale celebrate their first anniversary with a meal on the final day of this year’s Rotary Ribfest on Sunday afternoon at Open Hearth Park in Sydney. Photo by IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentChad and Allie Wilson, along with their toddler daughter, all came in from Louisdale for the final day of the three-day Ribfest, as a way for the couple to celebrate their first anniversary together.Article content“We came here a couple years ago, and we really enjoyed it,” Chad said. “Today (Sunday) is actually our anniversary, so we thought we would come back.
IN PHOTOS: Tenth edition of Sydney’s Rotary Ribfest wraps up on a hot and sunny note
