Kamloops Ribfest returns to Riverside Park as the public get a chance to crown a champion

KAMLOOPS — The extravagant pageantry is only bested by the delicious ribs, brisket, pulled pork and all the fixings. Ribfest has returned to Kamloops.

Over the weekend, ribbers from around North America have come to Riverside Park to battle it out for the title of People’s Choice.

“There is only four judges, and there is like about 500 to 600 people a weekend. I think I have a big of pride in my peoples choice. A lot of these awards are all people’s choice because that’s my pride, my joy, my happiness. That why I keep entertaining. I just want to have fun,” said Big Delicious, from Boss Hogs out of London, Ontario.

After two cancelled Ribfests in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fest in support of Kamloops’ Rotary was already starting to draw a big crowd by noon Friday (Aug. 5).

“You can see already things are starting to propagate. The ribbers are all doing their thing, the smoke is flying and it won’t be very long before everybody in the city knows that the ribs are definitely on and ready to go,” said Bryce Herman, Ribfest Spokesperson.

“It’s so nice, it’s good to see everybody getting together. It’s nice to see the crowd together again,” added a young man.

Kids, teenagers, seniors and rib-lovers of all ages have stopped by to enjoy a meal and cast their vote for their favorite.

“That a tough one. What do we think? I think that one, Boss Hogs. It attracts the attention, more noise coming from there,” decided a family of four.

“Keep it going boys, young men, thank you sirs. It really is good,” added another lady.

All of the funds raised this weekend will be put directly back into the community through various organization.

“Rotary doesn’t make profit, we don’t take any money from what has been brought in even to buy a muffin or anything else. Everybody that is here is contributing and that money – 100 per cent of it – will go back into the community to support those programs,” said Herman.

Kamloops residents can come on down between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. all weekend long to check out the live music, and likely end up with some sauce on their faces.

“These ribs we smoke for three-and-a-half hours, we use cherry wood and our secret rub,” proudly stated Big Delicious.

It’s expected that each ribber will cook more than 1,500 ribs.