Summer appetite for fun in Kamloops-Tk’emlúps

Dig into Ribfest

Kamloops Daybreak Rotary Ribfest returns to Riverside Park this summer, with the popular event taking place from Aug. 11 to Aug. 13.

This year will mark the 11th edition of Western Canada’s largest ribbing event, which includes tasty ribs, plenty of entertainment and a family fun zone.

Ribbers attending this year’s event include Boss Hog’s, Gator BBQ, House of Q, Grizzly BBQ, Prairie Smoke and Spice and Smoke Dem Bones BBQ.

Ribfest is held to raise money for various Kamloops organizations, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to various causes.

Since 2012, Ribfest has helped numerous groups, including Literacy Kamloops, BGC Kamloops, Power Start Breakfast Program, Breakfast for Babies in support of the Kamloops Food Bank, TRU scholarships, Kamloops Girl Guides, Toys for Kids Breakfast, SKSS field hockey team, Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre, Kamloops Minor Baseball Association, Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice House, YMCA/YWCA Strong Kids Program, Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kamloops & Region.

Theatre Under the Trees

Theatre Under the Trees will return in July, this year featuring The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

From July 10 to July 29, Project X Theatre’s annual outdoor play series will feature Kamloops actors in nightly theatre productions in Prince Charles Park.

The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito is a musical cabaret production by Indigenous playwright Tomson Highway. It tells the story of Mary Jane, a wingless mosquito from Petit Petit LePaw, Manitoba, who overcomes fear and adversity to make new friends. That play will be directed by Cheyenne Scott.

An adaptation of The Hobbit by Greg Banks is the other play selected this year. The classic tale will feature Bilbo Baggins, who learns that friendship is more valuable than gold. Jennica Grienke will direct.

For more information, go online to projectxtheatre.ca.

A Hot Nite in Kamloops

The annual Hot Nite in the City show and shine event in downtown Kamloops will be held on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12.

Kamloopa Powwow

The 42nd Kamloopa Powwow will take place at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Powwow Arbour from Aug. 4 to Aug. 6.

Thousands of spectators and participants attend the powwow each year, making it one of the largest such events in Western Canada.

The Kamloopa Powwow represents the Secwépemc people’s heritage and includes storytelling, singing, dancing, vendors and much more.

The event was started by the Shuswap Brothers and Sisters Society in 1980 and attracts visitors from around the world.

The decades-long event features more than 500 vehicles on display in downtown Kamloops, with the city’s main road — Victoria Street — closed to traffic for several blocks, allowing thousands of visitors to stroll up and down the street, checking out the amazing vehicle lineup.

The event will feature street rods, custom, American muscle cars, sport-compacts, tuners, collector and vintage cars, motorcycles, race cars, competition vehicles, big rigs and more.

In addition, Victoria Street will be lined with booths featuring myriad organizations, including Kamloops This Week, while visitors can take a break by grabbing a bite to eat and a beverage from one of the many businesses in the area and enjoy some of the entertainment along the route.

THE KAMLOOPA POWWOW SOCIETY PRESENTS THE 42ND ANNUAL