Ribs fall off the bone - champions fall off the throne!
September 8 - 10, 2023
Indulge in a feast of ribs at the 10th annual Esquimalt Ribfest! World-famous ribbers compete to win over your taste buds – you be the judge of their cooking! With a variety of flavors and secret recipes, prepare yourself for the ultimate palate sensation. Vendors will have beef and pork ribs, as well as a few chicken options on the menu. Pair your succulent meat with local craft beers and ciders including Driftwood Brewery, Lighthouse Brewing and Merridale Cider. Plus, be sure to check out Ribfest’s live entertainment all day long!
DAY TRIP PACKAGES
From $64 USD per person
Packages Include:
- Round trip, walk-on ferry fare
- Transportation between the Victoria terminal and Esquimalt Ribfest
- One rack of ribs and one side from your choice of any rib vendor at the festival*
*Sides will differ per rib vendor.
Please Note: Ribfest packages MUST be booked over the phone. Please call our packaging department at 877-386-2202 for more information or to book.
You must catch the 8:20am sailing from Port Angeles to take advantage of the complimentary Ribfest shuttle. The shuttle will depart in front of our Victoria terminal at 11:15am. The shuttle will depart Ribfest at 2:00pm and 5:00pm to return to our Victoria terminal.
If you choose to take the 12:45pm sailing, you must find your own way to Ribfest. Ribfest is located about a 15 minute drive from our Victoria terminal, which is about a $15 CAD taxi ride.
Day Trip Itinerary
7:50am: Arrive at the Port Angeles terminal.
8:20am: Depart from Port Angeles.
9:50am: Arrive in Victoria and go through Canada Customs. If you are staying overnight, you can store your bags at the hotel you booked, and walk back to the Victoria terminal to board the shuttle to Ribfest.
11:15am: Shuttle departs from our Victoria terminal to Ribfest.
11:30am: Arrive at Ribfest.
2:00pm: The first shuttle departs from Ribfest back to our Victoria terminal. This shuttle will get you back in time for the 3:00pm departure back to Port Angeles.
2:20pm: Arrive in Victoria, and go through Customs before boarding the 3:00pm departure, or choose to explore downtown Victoria until the 7:30pm departure.
5:00pm: The second (and last shuttle) departs from Ribfest back to our Victoria terminal.
5:20pm: Arrive in downtown Victoria, and explore at your leisure.
7:00pm: Arrive at the Victoria terminal and go through US Customs.
7:30pm: Depart from Victoria.
9:00pm: Arrive in Port Angeles and go through a quick US Customs check.
*If you miss the Ribfest shuttle (or want to stay at Ribfest longer!), it is your responsibility to find your way back to downtown Victoria. Taxis between Ribfest and our Victoria terminal will cost about $15 CAD one way.
Overnight Packages
From $171 USD per person, double occupancy*
Hotel Grand Pacific
Ideally located on Victoria's Inner Harbour, directly across the street from the Black Ball terminal, next door to the Parliament Buildings, and within a short walk from attractions, shopping, and restaurants. All guest rooms offer private balconies to sit outside and have air conditioning. The hotel amenities include the Pacific Restaurant, Courtyard Cafe, and the extensive Victoria Athletic Club with a 25m Olympic training size pool.
Packages Include:
- Round trip, walk-on ferry fare
- Transportation between the Victoria terminal and Esquimalt Ribfest
- One rack of ribs and one side from your choice of any rib vendor at the festival*
- A luxurious stay at the Hotel Grand Pacific
- A 375ml bottle of wine per room, per stay
*Sides will differ per rib vendor.
Please Note: Ribfest packages MUST be booked over the phone. Please call our packaging department at 877-386-2202 for more information or to book.
2023 RIBBERS
Pit Crew BBQ
They've been doing ribfest for over 25 years! This year they decided to start building a NEW brand “Pit Crew BBQ”, outfitting the rig with new banners portraying life in the fast lane of racing! Pit Crew finds Ribfests fun, fast tracked, and it’s great to be in the “Pit” with the “Crew”!
Pit Crew BBQ is from the Maritimes and have a great supportive crew from Ontario, to Vancouver Island & everywhere in between! They have formed a great team and look forward to serving the best customers all over this beautiful country. And remember “if you ain’t first, your smoked”.
House of Q
House of Q is known for winning BBQ awards in Canada, USA and beyond. The BBQ Pitmaster team led by BBQ Brian Misko are some of the world’s best and they are 100% Canadian. Crowned with the first place ribs at the World Food Championships in Las Vegas their line of BBQ sauces and spices are tested by judges. And they win awards. Go ahead and get yourself some sauces and spices and “Grill Like a Champion!”
Prairie Smoke & Spice BBQ
Prairie Smoke & Spice the home of genuine pit-smoked BBQ catering in Southern Saskatchewan. What started with a sample of real barbeque in Texas eight years ago has turned into a consuming passion to produce the best, most authentic ‘Q available in the prairies. This dream is now a reality as Prairie Smoke & Spice has won many awards on the competition circuit.
Gator BBQ
For over 30 years, Gator BBQ has been delivering mouth watering chicken, pulled pork and ribs to the hungry crowds of Rib Fests all across North America. Touring Canada and the Northern United States, the Smith family of Port Dover continue to win countless awards and events with their signature southern BBQ cuisine.
Grizzly Ribs
Grizzly Ribs, Chef Ollie is a fifth-generation Vancouver Islander with a knack for finding just the right mix of smoke, service, spice and sass that keeps people coming back.
Make sure you show up hungry as a bear because you might just want to do a little hibernating after feasting on some of Ollie’s wonder ribs!
Boss Hog's
More than ten years of smmmmokin’ the competition makes Boss Hogs bbq the pride of the Canadian Ribfest Tour folks…
With “Taste the Smokin’ Difference” being their motto, it is their utmost goal to provide patrons with the ultimate barbeque experience. Season after season they become even more successful through consistency, atmosphere and a customer service that is next-to-none.
People continually ask what their secret is and it’s actually pretty simple: the Rub, the Love and the God above!!!
2023 Ribfest Brews
Driftwood Brewery
Vancouver Island Brewing
Lighthouse Brewing Company
Category 12 Brewing
Howl Brewing
Merridale Cider
Junction Orchard & Cidery
Prospect Winery
