Vernon Rib Fest has been officially canceled. The event, first held in Vernon in 2019, has been sidelined by concerns about COVID for the past two years. And now, the revival efforts of July 8-10, 2022 have faced insurmountable economic challenges. Elaine Gallacher, with the Vernon Rib Fest Society, says the cost has risen exponentially, making the event inaccessible. “There were a lot of different factors,” Gallacher said on Tuesday, adding that members of the Rib Fest committee met on Monday “and looked at every aspect of it,” but it just could not continue. Earlier this month, Gallacher said society had to cover a $ 30,000 deficit. Vernon Tourism promised $ 3,000 at the event and the city of Vernon reduced its fee to rent the ice rink by $ 5,000. An anonymous donor also offered help, but again it was not enough. Gallacher says society expected higher costs than in previous events and budgeted for them, but the increases were larger than expected. “The cost has risen so much that it was inaccessible,” he said. “For example, the security for the same event was at least doubled. The security in 2019 was about $ 11,000 “. Gallacher said that if he made a small expansion he would have pushed the cost of security to more than $ 30,000. Grants from the city and the periphery were also not implemented. “Almost all the costs were much higher than we expected,” he said. “It was more than we could handle. It was a really difficult decision and no one wanted to make it. “We hate what this has done not only for the ribbers, but also for our local economy and for the vendors, the musicians and the entertainers and all those who have pledged to support the event.” So is this the end of the Rib Fest in Vernon or will efforts be made to bring the event back? “We did not have this discussion,” Gallacher told Castanet. In an effort to save at least part of the event, Gallagher said contact information was provided for the organizers of the Sun Valley Cruise In, which takes place over the weekend. Amid salaries, food and hotel rentals, ribbers have invested more than $ 100,000 in the event.
