There’s no reason to be hungry at the Ridge Meadows Home Show, with the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival, Ribfest, and the beer garden there to deal with any cravings.
Jason Faria, owner of the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival, has been going to the show for five years, and so changed things up this year, putting together a new lineup of “deliciousness.”
Food truck Taco Nori is fresh off a win in the “international fusion” category at Food Truck Wars in Surrey, and will bring their crunchy sushi offerings ot the Food Truck Festival this year.
Just Jerkin’ Around brings flavours of Jamaica and the Caribbean, including jerk chicken and pork, for what Faria calls “more unique tastes.”
Rolled West Coast brings rolled craft ice cream, and Tin Lizzy is bringing a mini donut trailer offering classic and premium toppings.
Faria said these are food trucks that roll into some of the most popular fairs, such as Vancouver’s PNE, the Cloverdale Rodeo, and the Calgary Stampede.
Other rolling taste factories on the way include Bomb Nachos, Corndog King, Dos Amigos Tex-Mex, G’s Donairs, Insomniac’s Coffee, Mini Donut and Oreo Factory, Reel Mac and Cheese, Rotato & Potato, and Street Dogs.
Rib Fest is a relatively new addition to the home show, and Gator BBQ and Guerilla Q both offer authentic barbecue right out of the deep southern U.S.
“These are competition ribbers to travel all over and have hundreds of trophies,” enthused Faria.
Founded in Florida in 1983, Gator BBQ has locations across Canada, and participates in competitions from coast to coast grilling up their delicious pork ribs, beef ribs, pulled pork, and chicken.
Guerilla Q, is owned and operated by BBQ master chef James Moran from Chilliwack. He cooks his ribs between four to six hours on the smoker, then he finishes them on the grill.
The beer garden with have some local flavour.
Faria explained the Home Show partnered with Farm Country Brewing of Langley to create a custom beer – Ridge Meadows Home Show Lager.
“I’m the lucky one who gets to sample everything, and it’s a good, easy-drinking lager,” he said.
The beer garden will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Last call is 30 minutes before closing.
Faria said the Home Show lives up to its billing as “the everything show,” and it will be easy for adults to enjoy themselves and be entertained, while their children hit the rides offered by Shooting Star Amusements and other attractions.
“What goes better than live music, ribs and beer?” he asks.
The show runs from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 1; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 2; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, at 23588 Jim Robson Way, Maple Ridge.
Tickets for the inside trade show are $5 and $8 per family.
Entry to the Family Fest is free.
Parking is also free with a shuttle running from the overflow parking area at the Albion Sports Complex.
For more information go to www.ridgemeadowshomeshow.com.