MISSISSAUGA — You know summer’s really here when the Amacon Mississauga Rotary Ribfest sets up shop at Celebration Square. This year’s homage to the barbecue hits the popular venue for four days starting Thursday. Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. through Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday.

The 10th annual meat-lover’s culinary event features 14 barbecue masters from across North America competing for bragging rights for the best ribs. The ribbers are Bad Wolf, Bibbs BBQ, Billy Bones, Blazin BBQ, Bone Daddy’s, Camp 31, Crabby BBQ, Gator BBQ, Hawgs Gone Wild, Jack on the Bone, Kentucky BBQ, Silver Bullett, Sticky Fingers and Uncle Sam’s.

Other vendors will serve up carnival fare such as candy floss, ice cream waffles, freshly-squeezed lemonade, corn-on-the-cob and the ever-popular bloomin’ onions (expect long lineups for the savoury Vidalia).

But it’s barbecued meat that the hordes come for. And remember, if sauce isn’t all over your face, you may not be eating the ribs right.

Organizers are expecting over 100,000 hungry visitors this year. Although admission is free, people are encouraged to “feed the pig” at the entrance gates with a $2 voluntary donation. All contributions go to charitable organizations supported by the Rotary clubs of Mississauga and Mississauga West. Past beneficiaries include The Mississauga Food Bank, Trillium Heath Centre Foundation, Credit Valley Hospital Foundation, Family Services of Peel and Interim Place.

Visitors can take advantage of the “4-Day Fast Ribs Pass” for $10, which gives them an exclusive line bypass to rib vendors along with a free beer mug. As a bonus they can get a half-rack of ribs and two sides for only $25 plus complimentary access to the Whiteoak Ford Lincoln VIP Lounge where you can kick back with a cold beer.

As for live entertainment, The Argues Family Band kicks things off on Thursday at 1 p.m., followed by Backroom II (5 p.m.), Stone River (7 p.m.) and the Johnny Max Band (9 p.m.).

On Friday, the Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band gets things started at 1 p.m., followed by the Toronto All Star Band (5 p.m.), Doghouse Rose (7 p.m.) and the Robert Tardik Band (9 p.m.).

Saturday’s lineup features Loco Zydeco (1 p.m.), Blue Room (7 p.m.) and the Blackboard Blues Band (9 p.m.). Not to be missed is the Rotaract SingFest competition which crowns the city’s hottest young singer. Forty contestants made it to the semi-final round June 15 at the Living Arts Centre. The survivors will perform before the judges for the final time starting at 3 p.m. on main stage.

On Sunday, Little Peter & The Elegants (1 p.m.), The Sugar Devils (3 p.m.) and Elton Rohn (5 p.m.) wrap things up.