Live music, a children's play area, and of course, ribs galore are on this year's Ribfest menu.

The third annual festival is set to take place on Labour Day weekend, from Sept. 3 to 5, in the heart of the city.

Maureen Luoma, executive director of Downtown Sudbury, said she hopes “more of the same” good things will happen at this year's festival.

Last year, 12,400 pounds of ribs were served, along with 1,320 chickens and 730 pounds of coleslaw.

Luoma said Ribfest is a popular event for families.

“One of the things we've liked with this event is all ages come out,” she said. “It's a family event — a community event. That's why we strengthened some of the family components as well, and that's why there's no admission.”

This year, the travelling Nintendo Neighbourhood Tour will be set up at Ribfest on Sept. 4 and 5, along with inflatable fun zones for the young and young-at-heart.

A car and motorcycle show will also be set up, and 27 live music performances are scheduled to take the stage too.

Luoma said hosting Ribfest downtown makes the city's core a more inviting place for other festivals and events.

“It puts us on the map as a great place to hold events, it brings people to our downtown,” she said. “Not just to our city — to our downtown.”

For people who want to enjoy the atmosphere of the street festival but aren't interested in the menu, Luoma said there are plenty of other places guests can grab lunch, and even shop, while they're in the neighborhood.

“The good thing is it's downtown,” she said. “With all of our restaurants that we have, and cafés downtown, if you don't like ribs or chicken, at least there's other places you can go and still enjoy the music and the other activities.”

The proceeds from this year's festival will support the Canadian Red Cross.

Dave St. George, community services co-ordinator at the Canadian Red Cross, explained that being the “charity of choice” meant volunteers from his organization will help with everything from ticket sales to garbage pickup.