Hungry patrons line up at Vernon RibFest at the O'Keefe Ranch (Vernon Matters photo)

By Kevin Rothwell

ribs at the ranch

RibFest rallies at O’Keefe Ranch, may become permanent home

Jul 10, 2023 | 5:00 AM

After bouncing around from location to location and COVID-19 cancellations since it began in 2018, Vernon RibFest may finally have found a permanent home.

Thousands of visitors made their way to O’Keefe Historic Ranch Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the food and entertainment.

The event started on the grounds of the Vernon Recreation Complex and last year moved to Swan Lake Market and Garden.

Organizers say a long term arrangement will be part of the discussion once the smoke clears.

“I think that RibFest is a really good fit for O’Keefe, just with the whole theme, it is really very compatible,” Vernon RibFest Society spokesperson Elaine Gallacher said. “They have such a big acreage and so much usable space that would be a great way to expand into a larger event.”

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Three rib trucks: Gator and Boss Hogs from Ontario, and Grizzly BBQ from Vancouver Island, had the sauce slapping all weekend with Saturday being the busiest day. Boss Hogs won the People’s Choice and Best Rib categories, while Gator BBQ won best sauce based on participants voting and sponsored by Swan Lake Market and Garden.

The event was free to attend so exact admission numbers are not available. The society ran a 50/50 and a raffle to bolster funding for the event. Armstrong Regional Co-op kicked in $250 in gas cards, Vernon Recreation a $1050 annual family pass and Valley Grills donated a smoker/BBQ valued at $1840, as the three raffle prizes.

It was a busy weekend for events in the North Okanagan, but the timing is out of organizers control.

“We are set into the schedule of what the ribbers do. They have, of course, venue after venue through their whole summer run from B.C. to Saskatchewan and back again, so our date has been set and we don’t have any flexibility on that right now,” Gallacher stated.

The entertainment lineup included karaoke, dance lessons, and lots of music from local musicians including Dale Basnett, Del Rango and the D Railers, Rob Dinwoodie and Open Range, #Poundsign, Rockanagan, Dirt Road Kings and Young’uns.

Darrell Ranger fronting Del Rango and the D railers (Vernon Matters photo)

A large kids zone was also a hit, with several games and magic shows from Vancouver magician Chris Yuill, who also performed on the main stage.

Gate donations went directly to O’Keefe Historic Ranch, while donations to the shuttle, which ran from Kal Tire Place went to the Halina Seniors Centre.

The society received sponsorship from the province, Norval Rentals, Armstrong Regional Co-op, Valley Grills and Freshco. St.John Ambulance was also on site for the weekend providing medic services.

“Lots of discussions the first year, so we have to overview everything and review it, see what worked and didn’t, and go from there,” Gallacher concluded.