Yellowknifers can expect to get a taste of something sweet and savoury when the Western Canada Rib Fest Tour comes to town in August.

The festival is slated for Aug. 2-Aug. 4 at the Multiplex.

Paul Mendonca has 15 years experience doing Ribfests across Canada. As the co-owner of Ribs Unlimited, the managing team behind the tour, he said the decision to come to Yellowknife was a matter of community interest.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople attend another citySA国际影视传媒檚 event and are like, SA国际影视传媒楬ey, why is this not up here?SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒� Mendonca said. He added that after a conversation with Mayor, Rebecca Alty, and some business partners, they decided to go for it. It will be the farthest north theySA国际影视传媒檝e ever been, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淲e think itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be a main staple event for years to come in Yellowknife,SA国际影视传媒� he added.

Admission is free for the event. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 family-driven, Mendonca said, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 something he seems to take pride in.

SA国际影视传媒淓ven if you donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to spend a dollar on buying any food, who cares? You come on down, have fun, pull up aSA国际影视传媒� chair. WeSA国际影视传媒檒l have some live entertainment, hopefully some good local artists that want to come and just have a sense of community.SA国际影视传媒�

It might be family-friendly, but by no means is it recreational, least of all for the cooks and rib connoisseurs alike. According to Mendonca, there are four teams that travel for the fest. On the tourSA国际影视传媒檚 website, the list includes BillySA国际影视传媒檚 BBQ, BlazinSA国际影视传媒� BBQ, Bone DaddySA国际影视传媒檚 BBQ and Buckeye BBQ.

Each of the food trucks start off with the same raw product, Mendonca explained. How they prepare it is up to them.

There are a number of competitions to win, with a panel of judges deciding whoSA国际影视传媒檚 got the best sauce, ribs and more. But there is also a peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 choice award. For this year, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 quite the appetite for each team to be YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 first-ever champion.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryoneSA国际影视传媒檚 going to want to win that first award,SA国际影视传媒� Mendonca said.

ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 also going to be beer there. But food and drink aside, for Mendonca, Rib Fest is for family.

SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 how itSA国际影视传媒檚 always been. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a family event. We want as little a barrier to entry as possible for people,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

For Yellowknifers unsure where to start when they reach the fest, MendoncaSA国际影视传媒檚 advice is simple: give things a try.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone will be able to try sauces for free from each truck,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Visitors can also walk right up to a grill and see for themselves how each team prepares their ribs.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome of the trucks even have their smokers that you can open up, check in and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 part of the fun.

SA国际影视传媒淩ib Fest will become a staple in the community SA国际影视传媒� not just for the fact that we give back, but that itSA国际影视传媒檚 good food, good entertainment and a good vibe.SA国际影视传媒�