The message from the president of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise (RCKS) is that RibFest is a family fun, community driven event that is for a good cause.
RibFest Kelowna had been met with lengthy protests staged throughout the weekend at various intersections and public areas, with activists stalling traffic, writing messages on sidewalks with chalk and bringing a speaker and microphone to bring climate change awareness.
“We understand that not everybody is in favour of everything,” president Susan McIntyre said.
“That is one of the wonders of living in a democracy.”
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Of equal importance to McIntyre was how RibFest proceeds made possible Rotary Club donations of $10,000 to Pathways Abilities for the purchase of an accessible van to transfer clients to activity services; $9,025 to Hope for the Nation’s Food for Thought program, which provides malnourished children with healthy meals; and $10,000 to the JoeAnna’s House hospital patient family lodging project
“As Rotarians, we work together to make the community a better place,” she said, stating that this year’s RibFest Kelowna was the best event RCKS has ever had.
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For the Kelowna Climate Save protesters, the charity work isn’t enough to warrant a festival dedicated to livestock production.
“In the midst of a climate crisis, there’s no room for a rib fest,” 25-year-old Kelowna Climate Save member Tessa Gordey said.
Both the UN and Canada state livestock production as a large contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
“The destruction of rainforests to create land for agriculture, along with growing demand for meat, are major contributors to the increasing greenhouse gases which are taking a significant toll on climate and global food security,” reads the UN’s “ActNow” campaign materials.
Still, McIntyre maintained that RibFest is a positive summer event.
“We have worked hard to consider the environment and sustainability,” McIntyre said. “We cannot make everyone happy.”
David Venn Reporter, Kelowna Capital News Email me at david.venn@kelownacapnews.com Follow us on Facebook | Twitter
