Organizers of Lloydminster’s annual Rib Fest are expanding this weekend’s event into a full-scale community festival, introducing a massive lineup of free entertainment to raise funds for Border City Connects.
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Mike Sidoryk, speaking on behalf of the event, said organizers are closer than ever to achieving a true “festival style” atmosphere for the region.
“We’re pretty excited about our program, progress, and where we’re at,” Sidoryk said. “We’re just building like crazy.”
Among the biggest additions to this year’s lineup is a three-day beach volleyball tournament, which will be managed by Matt Peck. Rather than using existing community courts, a dedicated beach volleyball court is being constructed directly on the festival grounds.
The event will also feature a diverse lineup of family-friendly entertainment, including:
- An animatronic, Muppet-style strolling puppet show
- The return of a popular live chainsaw artist
- A local talent stage showcasing community entertainers
- A free Saturday night Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) tribute concert
Father’s Day on Sunday will serve as a major anchor for the weekend, featuring targeted programming for youth, mid-range and older adults to keep families engaged all day.
While world-class ribbers remain the central draw, the festival has expanded its culinary offerings. A “Vendor Village” will be complemented by a diverse selection of food trucks, including local Mexican cuisine and Mama’s Empanadas, which features a Filipino twist.
Additionally, the local Kinsmen Club is partnering with organizers to operate a brand-new, wood-fired grill system sourced from Swift Current. The Kinsmen will serve up gourmet hot dogs and smash burgers.
In an effort to keep the festival accessible to all families, admission to the grounds and all major entertainment acts remain completely free. Instead of a traditional gate fee, organizers are relying on the generosity of attendees to support Border City Connects.
“The one twist that we’re going to work on, and really drive into our marketing side, is it’s free,” Sidoryk explained. “But we hope, if you enjoyed the day, leave us a donation.”
While guests must still pay for their own food from the vendors, all proceeds from voluntary donations will go directly toward funding the operations of Border City Connects.
“The more activities that are happening in the community, the better we are,” Sidoryk said.
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