FILE PHOTO

(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)

After two years of COVID-related cancellations, the popular Ribfest event will get sizzling again at Riverside park this summer.

The annual event is put on by the Rotary Club of Kamloops Daybreak and has raised over $650,000 for local charities and organizations in the Kamloops community since it started 11 years ago. 

After two years of being compromised by the pandemic, there is even more excitement building and a greater need to bring in money to support the community.

READ MORE: Kamloops Ribfest extinguished again, but Okanagan event still on table

Organizers said they are proud to make the official announcement, in a recent media release by the club.

“Kamloops has been eager for this event to come back in-person, and we are confident we can bring it safely back to Kamloops this summer," event chairperson Danica Wilkinson said in the release.

The economic impact of the 2019 event was estimated to be over $1.7 million dollars, which Wilkinson credits to the Kamloops community.

“The partnerships and sponsor support we have received over the years is astonishing,” she said. “We extend our deepest thanks to everyone, and especially those who have been with us since day one.”

The club is asking the community to help support the festival through sponsorship and raffle sales.

“This summer we should all be looking forward to an outdoor, safe event that gives back to our community,” Rotarian and spokesperson Bryce Herman said in the release. “The organizations our Rotary club funds have been hit hard over the past two years, so let’s come together and support our community.”

The Rotary Club of Kamloops Daybreak is a volunteer-based community organization, supporting and raising funds for many non-profit and charitable organizations throughout the region. All proceeds of Rotary events, including Ribfest, are returned to the community through grants and donations.

“It’s exciting to imagine Riverside park hosting this event again with six Ribbers, countless food vendors, live music all weekend, and families enjoying the free Family Fun Zone,” Wilkinson said.

Look for the event Aug. 5 through Aug. 7 at Riverside Park. All the details can be found here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2022