West Country residents are officially invited to bring big appetites, as the Western Canadian Ribfest has added Rocky Mountain House as the second stop on its 2026 tour.

Kicking off in Winnipeg at the end of May, Ribfest will take over Rocky Mountain House from June 5 to 7.

Ribfest organizers toured the community in April and decided it was the perfect time to bring the popular event to town.

“Rocky Mountain House has always been a location we’ve had an eye on,” says organizer Dennis Nephin, who pointed to the tight-knit, hardworking community he observed during the recent visit.

He adds, Ribfest will also run during a very busy weekend, with the parade and Rocky Rodeo happening at the same time.

“There’s so many things happening that weekend, but they’re all going to complement each other,” he says. “I think it’s going to be a well-oiled machine for the weekend, and there’s something for everyone.”

The free-admission Ribfest event will take place in The Brick parking lot and will include live music, bouncy castles, mini doughnuts and three or four rib trucks with food available for purchase.

The family-friendly event really stands out, says Nephin, with a massive inflatable pig, 40-foot banners and the sound of live bands among its many attractions.

Ahead of the event, organizers are calling for local judges to help determine “Rocky’s favourite” ribs. Nephin says details on how judges will be selected will be announced soon.

Throughout the summer, Ribfest owner Paul Mendonca says the events are a “win-win,” noting that not only do food truck operators benefit, but host communities also see economic spinoffs.

In many communities, Mendonca says Ribfest partners with local organizations such as Rotary Clubs, which use volunteers and connections to help with event setup and organization. In return, they raise funds for local initiatives.

Nephin says organizers have partnered with the Rocky Chamber to help put the event on and hopes to make it an annual tradition.

The 2026 tour includes stops in large and small communities across Western Canada, including Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Cold Lake, Calgary, Tumbler Ridge, B.C., and Hay River, N.W.T.