Organizers with Burger Wars are confirming the popular food festival in Fort Frances will be ready to go ahead next year.
They have set June 4th, 2027, as the date.
They were forced to postpone for this year after a conflicting schedule with a new RibFest event that will take place in September.
Spokesperson Angela Halverson says alternate dates were considered, but those conflicted with other events the food trucks were previously committed to.
Halverson says moving it to next year gives them more time to plan to make it an even bigger and better event, showcased in the highly successful inaugural event last September.
“We want it to be a social event. We’re going to, of course, have music and make that festival feeling,” says Halverson.
“So just trying to improve on what we learned from our first year and hopefully be able to make it bigger and better with more food, more community, more local businesses and bring people downtown.”
Halverson says they are looking at extending the event, which focused on the 200 block of Scott Street, into the 100 block if possible to add more market vendors and activities.
They also expect to add more food trucks.
They are also looking at the potential of having both blocks licensed so people can wander around with their beverages.
Last year’s event featured five food trucks and attracted an estimated 2,000-2,500 people.
“One of the things that we’ve heard many times is that I haven’t seen that many people downtown in 20 years, 30 years. It’s been many, many years since they had a very large event that brought that many people to the town square downtown area.”
The event also helped raise $10,000 for Fort Frances Community Chest, which helps residents with emergency medical needs.
Halverson says they have ill feelings toward a second food festival coming to town.
She feels there is plenty of room and support for both.
“We certainly are excited about Ribfest, and we want everyone to support that festival as well,” says Halverson.
“We’ll just get these kinks figured out, and hopefully we’ll have two wonderful festivals for the town to participate in.”
