Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Ribfest Penticton is back, and looking for volunteers over the Canada Day weekend to help make the charitable event a success. 

The annual festival of all things ribs takes place at Okanagan Lake Park from June 28 to July 1, featuring everything from a Kids Zone to all-day live music to a beverage garden to all sorts of delicious food — and of course, plenty of ribs, from five of the nation's top ribbers. 

It's free to attend but some proceeds from purchases inside will go to the Rotary Club of Penticton and, through them, to community groups like the South Okanagan Women in Need Society and community infrastructure programs like playgrounds. 

But to make it all happen for the roughly 35,000 expected guests requires a lot of volunteer power — 600 separate shifts, to be exact. 

"We're certainly still in need of some volunteers," said event chair Barb Hoolaeff. "We're bumping up the reasons to volunteer, we're looking after our volunteers even more so this year."

Volunteers will be fed free meals from outside sponsors throughout the weekend, get their own wrap party at the Barley Mill Pub on Tuesday after the festival ends and be eligible to win a variety of draw prizes. Hoolaeff said they still have plenty of room for interested volunteers to join the fun.

"We are still looking for people to run ribs in the Rib Valet," Hoolaeff said. "And we also need people to help in the recycling and the general duties cleaning area. Those are the main two areas we need help with."

Hoolaef said there will be plenty to enjoy at the family friendly event all weekend. 

"And of course, we've got the best seats in town for fireworks on Monday night, and Penticton's largest beverage garden on the beach!" she said. "And part of the beverage garden is family-oriented."

For more information on the lineup of activities at Ribfest, click here.