Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

DON'T FORGET NAPKINS!

Ribfest set to feed Kamloops for the weekend

Aug 9, 2019 | 5:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — Char-grilled, sauced-up, lip-smacking barbecue.

“We’ve got beef ribs, pork ribs, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, potatoes, beans, and cornbread,” Gator BBQ’s Nick Smith explained.

If you like your meat hot and smoky, Riverside Park is the place for you until Sunday afternoon. Ribbers from all over North America have descended on Kamloops for the annual Rotary Ribfest.

There are several different types of barbecue fans. Some people are loyal to their favorites.

“I’ve tried them all. Boss Hogg’s is my favorite,” one barbecue loyalist said.

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Other carnivores are willing to branch out and try something new.

“I’m giving something new a try this year, going to try Smoke and Bones, here,” one carnivore said. “Just waiting to get my three-meat combo.”

And the third type of person?

“Honestly, I’m just a rib fan.”

And if meat isn’t on the menu, organizers have you taken care of.

“If everybody from the family doesn’t eat the meat,” Nandi Spolia, from Nandi’s Flavours of India explained. He’s helping provide some non-meat options from the restaurant. “If a vegetarian or vegan person wants to come to Ribfest, they won’t go home hungry.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today

For the ribbers, there’s always hardware on the line; seeing new places and meeting new people is a big draw for those behind the grill.

“It’s fun, and it’s busy, we get to meet a lot of great new people,” Hailie Hilton from Boss Hogg’s BBQ said. “We like the excitement of it.”

“My favorite part is seeing the ribbers every year,” Smith said. “We’re kind of a big family, so seeing these guys every year is awesome.”

If you want to get your meat fix, the coals will be smoldering until 9:00 pm Friday Saturday, and Sunday night.

Oh, and don’t forget the napkins.