Rib Fest returned to the Living Sky Casino, bigger and saucier than ever. 

With three ribbers coming back to the casino for the first time since 2020, the parking lot was full from Friday to Sunday with non-stop barbecue action. 

Folks could come out and order themselves a half rack, a full rack, a chicken, a blooming onion, cornbread, beans and veggies, and a whole lot more. Napkins may have been the most sought-after paraphernalia, as the sauce was never at a loss. Smeers and smiles went hand in hand as people enjoyed the fall-off-the-bone tenderness of the ribs. 

A half rack of ribs from Billy Bones. A half rack of ribs from Billy Bones. 

The three ribbers who brought out their recipes for the weekend were Billy Bones BBQ, Blazin BBQ, and Buckeye BBQ. All three were set up side by side, competing to see who could pull in the crowd with boisterous chants, music, and tangy, ribby barbecue goodness. 

The stars of the weekend were the crew at Billy Bones BBQ. They managed to win not only the Best Sauce Award but also the Peoples Choice award, earning 60 per cent of the popular vote. 

Paul Mendonca stands with his fellow ribbers, adorned in his trohpies. Paul Mendonca stands with his fellow ribbers, adorned in his trohpies. 

"Because we give a good environment and our food is excellent," said Mendonca. "Every one of these ribbers will always give you the same quality that we will. You come down to Rib Fest, everyone will hook you up."

For Living Sky Casino, the strong return of Rib Fest has encouraged them to continue the event next year, hopefully making it bigger and better than even this year. 

Ashley Peterson, general manager of Living Sky Casino, was blown away by just how many people came out for the barbecue bonanza. 

The celebrity judges were asked to rate based on taste, quality, as well as meatiness. The celebrity judges were asked to rate based on taste, quality, as well as meatiness.

"It's so important for us to make sure that we create those opportunities for Swift Current to be able to gather and celebrate," said Peterson. "We have such a great community here, and we love being the go-to place. It's something that our staff love participating in, and it's something that we're proud to continue to be a focus for."

The funds raised by Rib Fest were contributed to the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation. Representing the foundation was Chris Martens, executive director of the Foundation, who was the host of the celebrity rib judging competition. 

All the ribs were all served up out of these state of the art travelling cooking trailers. All the ribs were all served up out of these state of the art travelling cooking trailers. 

"The Foundation is super appreciative of the Living Sky Casino for considering us to be beneficiaries of this event," said Martens. "Being here over the weekend and seeing how everything's gone, we could not be happier."

During the competition, local celebrities like Tyler Servant, Ryan Switzer, and Karla Wiens tore into ribs from each ribber, rating them for best sauce and best rib. 

By the end of it all, many faces were covered in sauce and many more were smiling. 

"That's one saucy monstrosity," Ryan Switzer, on the final rib he was presented.