Penticton Ribfest serves up three days of barbecue, music and family fun

Barbecue lovers will have three days to follow the smell of smoke and sauce to Okanagan Lake Park when Penticton Ribfest returns from July 24 to 26.

The waterfront festival will bring together competitive ribbers, food and drink vendors, live entertainment, family activities and a village of local makers for one of Penticton’s tastiest summer weekends.

Festival hours are noon to 10 pm on Friday, July 24, 11 am to 10 pm on Saturday, July 25, and 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday, July 26. Admission is $2, while children younger than 12 can enter for free.

The ribbers will be at the centre of the action, serving racks coated in their signature sauces alongside other barbecue favourites. Visitors can taste their way through the competing teams before casting a vote in the People’s Choice rib awards to help determine who has the best rack of the weekend.

Those who need a break between plates can explore the event’s snack and drink vendors or browse the Vendor Village, featuring craft, artisan, retail and promotional booths. Organizers are encouraging guests to support the local makers and businesses taking part.

Ribs may be the headliner, but they will not be the only attraction.

Live music will fill the park throughout the weekend, beginning Friday at 5 pm with Poppa Nuge, followed by Gord McClaren, Ari Neufeld and the Dave Barber Trio.

Saturday’s lineup begins at 2 pm and includes Jeff Piattelli, Jeremy Head, Ari Neufeld, R n R, Dane Bateman, Kuja Collective and Fluxx.

Music resumes Sunday at 2 pm with Nevaeh Dyson, Will Schlackl, Yanti and the So Co Blues Crew, followed by Ari Neufeld to close the festival.

Families can also make a full afternoon of the visit, with inflatables, face painting and other activities planned for younger festivalgoers.

The event grounds will be fully licensed, with alcoholic beverages available to adults who purchase drink tickets and wear an age-verification bracelet. Gluten-free sauces will be available from most rib teams, and organizers say that participating vendors will also offer vegetarian and vegan options.

Guests do not have to rely entirely on cash. Some vendors will accept debit or credit cards, and three ATMs are expected to be available on site.

Visitors are welcome to bring picnic blankets, small bags, strollers, wagons and empty water bottles. Outside food and drinks, coolers and pets are not permitted, with an exception for service animals. Lawn chairs and beach umbrellas will not be allowed inside the amphitheatre after 4 pm.

An interactive event map is available through the Penticton Ribfest website to help guests locate vendors, parking and seating areas before arriving.

Whether the goal is to find a new favourite barbecue sauce, catch some live music by the lake, or keep the kids entertained for an afternoon, Penticton Ribfest offers plenty of reasons to arrive hungry.