By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
They came from the north of the Burlington Centre
They came from the south of the Burlington Centre
Coming from the north – they lined up on Guelph Line patiently waiting to get into the parking lot.
They came from the south and lined up on Guelph line waiting to get into the parking lot.
It was Canada Day and hundreds of cars and trucks lined up to get into the Centre parking lot to follow what looked like an obstacle course to get to a point where they had to make a choice – which of the four Rib choices did they want.
The first traffic direction point. Note the line of cars on the left coming into the parking lot.
It looked like an obstacle course and it was confusing – However there were Rotarians at every point guiding traffic.
Traffic wound its way around traffic cones – as they were guided to the point where they had to make a decision.
Cars then got to a point where the driver had to make a decision – which of the four rib choices did they want.
There was the day’s offering. The traditional bill boards that Burlingtonians had looked at for years stood in front of them with flags flying in the wind.
The Rotarian who was on that security point was getting frazzled at times as people asked: “Which one is the best?”
“They’re all great” he replied as he worked to keep the traffic moving.
And it moved quite well.
Traffic pauses to pay for their order and then into the spot where they pick up their ribs and enjoy the sweet aroma of the piping hot food that is now in their car.
Then they were in a line that got them to a point where there order was taken and paid for – they then proceeded to a pick up point on either side of the place where the ribs were being prepared.
It sounds a little convoluted, and it may have looked that way as drivers came in – but it went very smoothly.
Is the the Burlington Centre parking lot. Or is it New York city?
The photographs show dozens of cars all crowded together but everyone knew where they were going.
The live entertainment was pleasant – the man knew how to work the strings of that guitar. His voice was just fine.
There was live entertainment being broadcast over the parking lot – the singer was working his guitar to the fullest and producing a sound that fit the day.
It worked – it worked very well.
The Lakeshore Rotary who put on the event haven’t released any numbers yet – but it was clear to this reporter that the event made not have pulled in as much as the fill scale Ribfest has done in the past but it did very well under the circumstances.
The Rotarians are to be congratulated for being able to pivot and use Canada Day to put on their event. The Burlington Centre people deserve a “thank you” for making the space available.
The event could become an annual thing. It certainly worked on July 1st, 2020
