Halal Ribfest coming to Mississauga, Hamilton and Ajax

The Halal Ribfest is going international, with stops south of the border after visiting Ajax and other cities in the GTA this summer.

The 20-city event, which launched last year in Toronto, will be at the Ajax GO Station Aug. 18-20 with some of the best Halal food North America has to offer.

The tour (presented by Salam Events, in collaboration with Eventzilla Group), is expected to touch more than half a million people.

Each city visited will be able to showcase its unique cultural mosaic and bring the community together. International barbecues and food trucks offering a variety of halal dishes from different parts of the world will be featured. With more than 100 Ribfests occurring annually in North America, the Halal Ribfest is the first to cater to the needs of the Muslim community and empower them to enjoy experiences such as this one for the first time.

“North America is multicultural and diverse with over 250 ethnicities representing from around the globe. Our traditions, values, and lifestyles mesh together to create a cultural mosaic. We are home to over five million Muslims. Our objective is to showcase the unique Halal flavors through an authentic “Halal” experience,” the organizers noted in a release.

The tour will also feature a star-studded lineup of entertainers, such as poet MC Boona Mohammed, Safa Adams and the Jannah Family. Influencers from all cities will also be there, including YouTube sensation Zia Tabarak, who will be traveling from Pakistan to attend the festivities.

“I was very impressed with the Halal Ribfest,” said Mohammad, who is a Canadian poet. “The work they are doing is so valuable to our community because they are helping to make ‘halal’ mainstream while still catering to the Muslim community.

The festival kicked off in Vancouver in June and will also visit Mississauga (Aug. 25-27, Meadowvale GO), Scarborough (Sept. 1-4), Hamilton (Lime Ridge Mall, September 8-10) and London (September 15-17) before taking the show to Detroit.

More than 35,000 rib lovers hit up the travelling festival last year in Toronto, with more than 75 partners and 100-plus vendors.

This year’s event will feature everything from shawarma to burgers to South African BBQ, in addition to ice cream stalls and beverage options, and will debut Halal jumbo rubs, short ribs and brisket for the discerning palate.

There will also be plenty of activities, including a Kids Zone (with jugglers, inflatables and more) and a variety of live performers and fire shows.

There will also be carnival rides and games, a local market, and food competitions, with details varying by location.

Priced at $10 per entry, a portion of the profits will go towards local charities.