The third version of the lip-smacking, mouth-watering, finger-licking Penticton Rotary RibFest kicked off in Okanagan Lake Park today.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 going to be a great weekend,害羞草研究所� says Penticton Rotary president and RibFest chair Barb Hoolaeff. 害羞草研究所淲e packed 35,000 people into the park last year over four days and we害羞草研究所檙e expecting interest to be just as high this year.害羞草研究所�

Hoolaeff said there are plenty of great tweaks in store for the public for this year害羞草研究所檚 event, from redesigned beverage gardens 害羞草研究所� offering a better experience for adults and families 害羞草研究所� to an expanded menu for the Rib Valet service.

害羞草研究所淥ur Rib Valets will be offering a lot more variety this year,害羞草研究所� said Hoolaeff. 害羞草研究所淭he Rib Valet service means people can sit and enjoy their beverages while someone else stands in line, and this year the Rib Valet service will be offering more of the most popular menu items from the ribbers.害羞草研究所�

Four professional ribbers will be at RibFest this year 害羞草研究所� Gator BBQ, Misty Mountain, Boss Hog害羞草研究所檚, and Smoke and Bones. As well, Save-On-Foods is providing corn on the cob and for those who don害羞草研究所檛 like barbecued meat, one of the big hits of last year害羞草研究所檚 event is back.

害羞草研究所淏ogner害羞草研究所檚 of Penticton came last year to provide vegetarian options and they were a big hit,害羞草研究所� said Hoolaeff.

Another big hit last year was the Cantex Kid Zone, and the free family fun continues this year as well. Packed with Penticton favourites and out-of-town headliners, the entertainment starts at noon Friday and runs all weekend.

Friday害羞草研究所檚 headliner, taking the stage at 6:45 p.m., is Blackberry and the Circus Sideshow, an incredible event known as the Caravan of Creeps and incorporating sword-swallowing, fire-breathing and dancing into their musical act.

Saturday sees the ever-popular Roland Allen Rock Trio from Penticton return to the Windward Software Stage at 7:30 p.m. with classic and contemporary rock. Following the Roland Allen Rock Trio stay in the park for the best seats for watching the Canada Day fireworks sponsored by Ellis-Don Construction.

On Sunday, enjoy the sweet country song stylings of for Canadian Idol finalist Jaydee Bixby at 6:45 p.m. Bixby has opened for country icons like Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney and cracked the top 10 Canadian Albums Chart with his debut disc, Cowboys and Cadillacs.

Don害羞草研究所檛 forget to vote for your favourite ribber. Text your favourite ribber害羞草研究所檚 name to 1-778-200-RIBS (7427).

The Rotary Club of Penticton RibFest takes place June 30 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), July 1 (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and July 2 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) at Okanagan Lake Park.