Anthony Person adds sauce to a pulled pork sandwich this afternoon at the Mrs Ribs BBQ Festival at Ida Fritz Park. The festival continues until 7 p.m. (ENP STAFF PHOTOS)

By Scott Leffler
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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Dozens of people sat and enjoyed BBQ at the festival.

Incredible smells are wafting over Lockport's Ida Fritz Park as a BBQ festival in honor of Mrs. Ribs is being held there.

The festival, "Mrs. Ribs BBQ Festival," is the first of what the family of Sarah Person, hope are many. If today's turnout is any indication, they're right.

"Anytime we have the community coming out to honor my mother, it's a good day," said Anthony Person, son of Sarah, known by most as simply "Mrs. Ribs."

Mrs. Ribs legacy was her special sauce, which she re-created from her grandmother's recipe in 1996. Since then BBQ has been a family affair.

Anthony said since his mother's passing six years ago, different family members have each put their own unique twist on the recipe. "We kind of splintered off and did our own thing, but we're still one big family."

Anthony's Business is known as Big Bossman's BBQ. He's been running it since 2009.

The All-Star Band performs at Ida Fritz Park for the Mrs. Ribs BBQ Festival

This charity for today's event is Niagara Hospice. The family hopes to do future events for different charities.

"There are bigger things yet to come," he said.

Eula Collins, daughter of Sarah, said "I think it's absolutely beautiful," when asked what she thought of the event so far.

She had been worried that it might rain today. But clear skies and a warm breeze ensured that Ida Fritz Park was filled to the brim with people eating BBQ and listening to music by the All-Star Band.

"We held on to faith and we didn't get discouraged and every hour, we're giving God thanks and praise," she said.

Mrs. Ribs BBQ Festival continues at Ida Fritz Park until 7 p.m.

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