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September is suddenly shaping up to be one of the busiest event windows in Penticton history. Already, the month will see the return of the Penticton Dragon Boat Festival (Sept 11th and 12th), the Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan (Sept 19th) and, for the first time in a decade, the Subaru Ironman Canada-Penticton (Sept 26th).
And now, we can add one more. Hint: It's all about the meat, baby.
This morning at the Rotary Pavilion in Skaha Lake Park, it was announced that Sept 17 - 19 will see the return, after a one-year pandemic interruption, of the decadent ode to carnivores known simply as Ribfest.
“We’re excited to do it,” said Barb Hoolaeff of long-time organizing body Rotary Club of Penticton. “We had a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and we're now going forward following Public Health Office safety guidelines.”
All that September action can be credited to one thing -- the provincial government's "restart" plan. Sept 7th, you see, is the earliest day large-scale public events can take place. And now the remainder of the month, while the sun is still shining and temps are still summery warm, is quickly becoming an event orgy.
For the uninitiated, Ribfest is a giant outdoor cookout where barbecue masters from across the country turn up the heat, slather on the sauce, and go non-stop for three days straight. There's a beer garden too, and entertainment, and dancing. And giant flames shooting skyward as rib artists put on their best show for the crowd.
There's a competition too, where the finest ribbers in the land win trophies and bragging rights.
Apart from today's Ribfest announcement, the biggest news is the change of venue. Traditionally held on the northern edge of the city at Okanagan Lake Park, Ribfest this year will unfold across town at Skaha Lake Park.
It's an idea that would have debuted last year if not for the pandemic.
"Last year we put a lot of effort into reconfiguring everything to come to Skaha Lake Park because there were three festivals on the same weekend in the same area," said Hoolaeff.
"And we were the baby on the block, so we moved. Then we moved right out because there was no Ribfest (due to COVID). But now there are efforts to get this end of town going, so we're staying here."
Neither Hoolaeff or fellow Ribfest co-chair Sandra Krauer could specify which areas of the park would be inside the festival zone.
"We're not even sure yet if the Rotary Pavilion will be included," said Krauer. "We still haven't come to a full plan yet."
But both were psyched. "Look at the size of the parking lot here," said Hoolaeff. "Just look at all the parking."
The pair confirmed that entertainment will be part of the package and that if trends continue as they are now, the festival will unfold in much the same manner as prior Ribfests.
"If everybody behaves and does everything they're supposed to so the counts keep going down and vaccinations up, then we will move full on," said Hoolseff. "And I'm feeling pretty confident that we won't have any masks protocols for the event."
Krauer said entertainment contracts were sent out just yesterday, but believes Friday night will feature a "local band," Saturday evening will feature alt-rock vocalist Charlie PS, and Sunday will be "country."
"Local breweries will be bringing their products to support the beverage garden," she added. "And we'll have family activities for kids and their parents. There won't be anything like bouncy castles, not right after COVID, but there'll be enough keep everyone happy."
Hoolaeff even hinted there'll be more BBQ outfits than usual.
Also in attendance this morning was Penticton mayor John Vassilaki, who indicated he'd like to see 2021's big September be a sign of things to come, even after the pandemic is fully in the rear view mirror.
"This is the shoulder season, so this is what we need," he said. "It's really nice when things start slowing down in September to perk it up a bit. Two months out of all the year for businesses to make enough money to survive the off-season just isn't feasible, so we have to do more to extend the season.
"We want to create that ambience in September, and later too. When folks see how well we'll do in September, I'm sure they'll want to extend other events into October. We need this here in Penticton to almost get us into a four-season playground."
Proceeds from Ribfest will help rebuild the Splash Pad at Skaha Lake Park.
To volunteer for the event, email volunteers@pentictonribfest.com. To become a vendor or entertainer, email vendors@pentictonribfest.com and entertainment@pentictonribfest.com. For other information, email info@pentictonribfest.com or go to the official site here.
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