The devour-worthy Western Canada Rib Fest Tour is stopping in Whitecourt next month

By Serena Lapointe
The Western Canada Rib Fest Tour is making a pit stop in Whitecourt next month. The long-
running event zigzags along this side of the country from Winnipeg to Yellowknife and northern
BC, starting in May and ending in early fall. On August 15-17, four extra-large food trucks will be
at Festival Park vying to win an award from the local and visiting audience.
Each town or city the tour stops in is a chance for one of the four food trucks, Billy’s BBQ,
Blazin’ BBQ, Silver Bullet and Buckeye BBQ, to win one of the prizes up for grabs, including
Best Sauce, Best Ribs, Judges; Choice, and People’s Choice. Those who attend and buy some
ribs will have a chance to choose who wins the Whitecourt bragging rights.
“Western Canada Rib Fest Tour reached out to the town to host this event, and the town
suggested that the Chamber take it on. We said absolutely, because it sounds awesome. I
believe we are the smallest community they are coming to, and it will be Whitecourt’s first time
hosting. We hope to make it an annual event,” said Alyssa Calliou, Executive Director at the
Whitecourt & District Chamber of Commerce.
The three-day-long event will be family-friendly and offer more than just delicious, award-
winning food. “There will be live entertainment all weekend long, and it will be licensed. Where
we are planning to set up, you should be able to enjoy the ribs and music and still watch your
kids if they are at the playground,” added Calliou.
To help support the event, the Chamber of Commerce applied to the Town of Whitecourt’s
Tourism Enhancement Grant Program and recently received $5,000 in financial assistance and
$3,500 for in-kind support, including tents, garbage cans, tables, chairs and the use of Festival
Way.
The Town Council voted unanimously to dole out dollars during their June 9 Regular Meeting,
following the recommendation of the Economic Development Committee. Rhonda Woods,
Economic Development Officer for the Town of Whitecourt, said the event was pretty big. “They
bring in semi-trucks and do a rib fest cook-off. It’s a great event to bring into our community that
will draw a lot of people in.”
Calliou said receiving local dollars is significant. “Most of us nonprofits can’t do things without
that extra support. It’s also important for tourism. We need events like these to get people into

the community, staying at the campgrounds and hotels, spending money at the gas stations and
stores and hopefully at other food venues as well.”
She said it’s also important because the help they receive enables them to turn around and help
others. “It’s always a good way for nonprofits to raise money. We have some nonprofits helping
us out that we will be donating to, so that’s part of what the grants and sponsorships are used
for.”
When asked why the Chamber jumped at the chance to host the event, Calliou chuckled.
“Everybody loves ribs. They are delicious. It sells itself!” She hopes the community supports it.

“Please come out and enjoy it. If it isn’t successful, there won’t be another one, and we really
want to keep things like this coming to our community.”
Those not interested in the ribs can still enjoy the festivities, listening to live music and enjoying
the sights. “It’s free to be there and enjoy yourself, and then you can order what you want and
pay at the trucks. But to hang out and enjoy the music, that’s free,” said Calliou. “Thank you to
the Town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County for partnering with us on this fun event.”
She said they still have room for volunteers to join. “We need approximately 22 volunteers per
day. That’s for site clean-up, runners, selling non-alcoholic drinks, beer gardens, people to
direct
guests or stand at the gates,” explained Calliou. Nonprofits can apply to volunteer and receive a
donation from the Chamber.
Calliou said the Chamber was also hoping to have a special Fresh Community Market at
Festival Park on Sunday, August 17, to add to the fun. “We are holding our regular market on
Saturday, August 16, in our regular spot over by Walmart, but we want to hold one on Sunday at
Rib Fest too.” She said they were accepting applications for vendors. For more information, join
the “Whitecourt RIBFEST” Facebook event page.
The Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association also received funding through the Tourism
Enhancement Grant Program this year, receiving $1,000 towards its provincial ride, Ride for
Vision & Valour 2025: Liberation of Netherlands Commemorative Journey. The four-day event
took place from June 27 to July 1 and included an overnight stay in the community.