There are no tickets for RibFest Langley.
It's not that the event Aug. 16 to 18 is sold out. But admission is by donation, and there are no tickets issued.
The reason the organizers, the four Rotary Clubs of Langley, are emphasizing that the event is not ticketed is because organizers have received reports of scammers are trying to sell tickets to RibFest.
"Please be aware that we are getting a lot of scam posts regarding ticket sales and signing up to be a vendor," the clubs said on social media.
The organizers stressed that they do not sign up vendors through social media. There are applications on the RibFest website and contact information for the organizers.
The money raised at RibFest is used by the four clubs for their community giving and support of local charities.
Who wants to party?
RibFest at McLeod Athletic Park has turned into Langley's biggest summer party. Grilling up all kinds of meats and other foods are Boss Hog's, Gator BBQ, Prairie Smoke and Spice, Smoke Dem Bones, Guerilla Q, and Rusty's BBQ. There are other options as well, including vegetarian, plant-based, and gluten-free items (such as Rotary Cookhouse, Veronica's Gourmet Perogies, Holy Taco, Reel Mac and Cheese, Kona Ice, Lemon Heaven, BC Event Makers, Sharbat Vancouver, Rocky Point Ice Cream, Tubster's Mini Donuts, The Brownie Bakers, andCandy Curio). There's also adult beverages and a water bottle fill station on site.
Safety first
People planning to attend can take advantage of a Rideshare Zone option. There is now a designated area very near the event entrance for Rideshare (Uber, Lyft), taxi, and carpool options. This area is drop-off/pickup only with no parking. For address purposes people use Langley Secondary School, 21405 56th Ave.
“We really want to get the word out on this, especially the address to use as it makes coming and enjoying the event so much easier,” said RibFest chairperson, Rick Davis. “You can now be dropped off and picked up near the entrance for RibFest,” he explained.
A map on the event website www.ribfestlangley.com shows where the various amenities are, including public parking. RibFest is open to the public 11 a.m. each of the three mornings. It closes at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Only service dogs are allowed on site. There's no outside food nor alcohol permitted, and people are asked not to bring day tents or canopies. Smoking is not allowed at McLeod Athletic Park. There's ample seating throughout the site and shaded areas are being set up.
That's entertainment
In addition to entertainment throughout on the main stage, there's also a KidZone (face painting, inflatables, crafts, Indigenous dance workshop, remote control cars, rides, and a zone for tots, including a changing area). Everyone can check out the SportZone with mini golf, the Vancouver Bandits, the Langley Curling Club, the Rivermen, and the Langley Rugby Club.
Who wants to win?
People will have a chance to pick up their 50/50 MEGA Draw tickets at RibFest.
The Rotary portion of each year’s draw is divided up equally between all four clubs, then distributed out the community.
Past draw beneficiaries have included Langley Hospice Society, Foundry Langley, Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation, Langley School District Foundation, Aldergrove and Langley Food Banks, Starfish Backpack Program, Langley Volunteer Bureau, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Langley, Aldergrove Fair, Langley Music School, plus several other Rotary Club service projects.
Tickets sell for $20 each, three for $50, or eight for $100. The cutoff is midnight Aug. 18.
