Second annual Ribfest benefits Veterans and families
The second annual Yellow Ribbon Ribfest took over the 34th Infantry Division’s parking lot on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in Arden Hills, Minnesota for a day of delicious barbeque and fun events.
The event was hosted by the Yellow Ribbon Committee of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, and featured 25 competitors associated with the trades, friends of labor or Yellow Ribbon Companies.
Before Minnesota’s Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan declared Ribfest open, the Building and Construction Trades Council conducted a career fair to highlight opportunities within the trades. The council has been an advocate for unionized construction workers for more than 70 years, representing more than 70,000 members. In 2022, the group became a Yellow Ribbon organization, demonstrating their dedication to supporting military members, veterans, and their families.
“In many ways, those of us in the military and those of you in organized labor have something in common. We all reach a point in our careers and realize that the best decision we ever made was joining, whether it was the military or a trade union,” said the Minnesota National Guard’s Army Col. Eduardo Suarez. “You are setting a powerful example for other organizations in Minnesota, and your support means everything to our service members.”
Besides the rib tasting and career fair, attendees were treated to a flyover performed by the T-6 Thunder Fliers and a raffle for everything from concert tickets to a week-long stay in Belize. WCCO-AM radio host Jason DeRusha emceed this year’s installment.
Nearly 70 sponsors made the event possible. The support of those sponsors will enable Minnesota Building Trades to help military service members, families and Veterans throughout the year.
All proceeds raised at this year’s Ribfest benefit the Building Strong Communities, a 501c3 non-profit, organization. The money raised will go towards supporting programs and events for deployed service members families, and for materials and supplies needed for Veteran home repair projects completed by labor and trades organizations throughout Minnesota, at no cost to the Veteran.
Story by Staff Sgt. Bob Brown
Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs
