b"MinnesotaNorth Dakota Ribfest3rd Annual 64 SponsorsSUPPORTING OUR TROOPS600+ AttendeesFor the fourth year in a row in August we cooked and served approximately 450 meals at the 34th Red Bull Family Day along with Local 563RIBFEST!Effective Career fair w/Veteran boothsmembers helping to man stations for the kids inflatables, rock climbing, face painting, llama petting, snow cone making and the popcorn machine.35 BBQ teamsBeyond the Yellow RibbonCommunity engagement with music, kid's activities, In September, we had a perfect weather day at the 133rd Airlift Wing where we cooked and served approximately 1,700 meals. Once again celebrity judges, flyover, and elected officialsthere was not one speck of food left when the day was finished. Some of the service members started with a morning 5K race and when theHeld on September 13, 2025, at the 34th Infantryfamilies arrived, they toured the base and had a short program in the hanger. Division Headquarters in Arden Hills, MN. Ribfest raised approximately $55,000The 3rd Annual Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Ribfest was another enormous success. We had a beautiful sunny day with warmer than usual weather for September which kept the beer tent busy. This year we had a little different setup that worked out perfectly, one whole side of the parking lot occupied by 35 BBQ teams. The Career fair and Military booths started at 12:00 and the people just kept coming. The BBQ teams were in full force cooking their ribs and working on various food samples to serve prior to ribs being ready. Various teams had games going and the banter between teams was high. Everyone was trying to get those peoples choice votes.The program started with a flyover at 2:15, with the first ribs being sampled at 2:30 with music starting after the program. Rib tasting was from 2:305:00 pm with awards at 5:30. The judges job was a tough one this year. The kids had fun going between the game truck, obstacle course, bouce house, face painting, fire truck, police cars and petting the llamas. Overall, its a great family event. We had some new winners and some repeat winners but most of all it was a fun day!If anyone is interested in having a BBQ team at next years Ribfest or would like to volunteer at any of these events your time would beappreciated, and would also go towards receiving PROUD MEMBER points.Please contact Kim Schrupp at kschrupp@local563.org or 612-436-7593. SAVE THE DATE!September 19, 2026For next years event, please follow the website www.yellowribbonribfest.orgfor more details on the Yellow Ribbon Ribfest 2026.40 local 563 laborers union /563 news /2025-2026 newsletterlocal 563 laborers union /563 news /2025-2026 newsletter 41"