Ribfest ready to return to Penticton next year

PENTICTON – A first-time event that took place in Penticton this weekend looks like it has staying power.

The Penticton Rotary’s first ever Ribfest completed a three-day run in the city’s Lakeside Park this past weekend. A tired but content Ribfest chairperson, Barb Hoolaeff, calls it an 'awesome weekend.'

“The Ribbers estimated 20,000 people attended over the three days. I’m pretty sure you’ll see the event return next year,” she says.

Hoolaeff says Saturday was the busiest night, and Friday around dinner also busy. Sunday she says, was 'somewhere in between.'

Four Ribbers competed for honours in the event, with Boss Hogs picking up the People’s Choice Award for best ribs as well as Judge’s Choice for Best Sauce. Smoke & Bones won Judges Choice for Best Ribs.

Hoolaef says 300 volunteers filled 600 positions over the weekend.

“Lots of people worked every day. The community really bought into it, as did the City of Penticton. Kudos to the volunteers, we couldn’t have pulled it off without them,” she says.

Award winning Ribber Boss Hogs’ Chad Cannon estimates ribbers each sold approximately 2,500 pounds of ribs, pulled pork and chicken over the weekend.

“This was the best setting for a ribfest ever, an incredible setup,” Cannon says, though he notes he didn’t know what to expect in Penticton, being first time for such an event. “I’m very happy with the way the weekend went. Penticton is a small city, and it seemed like everyone came out.”

Cannon says he’s spending an extra two days in the city to enjoy its amenities before moving to the ribbers’ next event in Port Moody.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.