A RibFest Finally Comes to Kelowna
Written and posted by Ed Kolybaba on Jul 12, 2016
Kelowna can now experience one of the best entertainment venues to ever come to
Kelowna, thanks to the Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise, who with their title sponsor,
Interior Savings Credit Union Kelowna, will host the city’s first ever RibFest on
September 16-18th, 2016.
The Interior Savings Sunrise Rotary RibFest will feature the best barbeque ribs served up by four nationally acclaimed professional ribbers, three from Ontario, and one from British Columbia, who have all participated in festivals, ribfests, and other major events right across North America and who will be vying for the best barbeque ribs and sauce as judged by a celebrity panel and by the public. The three day event will include the opportunity to enjoy additional food services, live entertainment, a Kids Zone, and much more.
The Interior Savings Sunrise Rotary RibFest was officially launched on July 12thduring a press conference at Kelowna City Park. Bill Reynolds, 2015-16 Past President of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise, on behalf of the club, described the Ribfest as a free family event that will provide fantastic food, entertainment and fun for an expected crowd of over 30,000 people. He pointed out that the event was 100 percent volunteer driven and that 100 percent of the net proceeds will go back to the community and to international humanitarian service.
Corrine Johnson, from Interior Savings Credit Union in Kelowna, commenting on the event’s theme, “a festival of flavour, family and fun,” stressed that while people will be having fun, enjoying the entertainment, and “salivating over ribs,” they will be helping to build a stronger, vibrant community. She shared that it was important for Interior Savings to collaborate and be a part of events like the RibFest as these events provide a means for the community to develop a sense of belonging, make a lasting positive difference and help to lift people up. She also pointed out that every dollar spent on food and drink will end up going back into the community to support this year’s primary beneficiary Shoe Bank Canada and numerous other local organizations.
Jim Belshaw, founder of Shoe Bank Canada, expressed his appreciation for the support of Interior Savings Credit Union and the Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise. He shared that he was truly honoured to be selected as the main charity recipient of the net proceeds from the RibFest fundraiser and in describing the goals of Shoe Bank Canada stressed how important it was that “no Canadian should ever want for a pair of shoes, period.”
Colin Basran, Mayor of the City of Kelowna, acknowledged that the Ribfest would “showcase Kelowna and all the great things we love in our city,” and would “help us attract national attention.” His appreciation for the work of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise and Interior Savings Credit Union was expressed with an issuance of a “Proclamation” for the first annual RibFest.
The launch event, concluded with a cutting of slabs of barbequed ribs supplied by Smoke and Bones, the North Vancouver ribber that will be in attendance at the September RibFest, followed by each of those in attendance enjoying a taste that would surely bring them back in September for more of the same.
Check outfor information, photos, and ways that you can volunteer at or sponsor this fabulous event.