Ribfest raises $66,000 for local charities in northern Alberta

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeFestivalsNewsLocal News Ribfest raises $66,000 for local charities in northern Alberta The 50/50 fundraiser held at the Ribfest for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Local HERO in Fort McMurray hit a jackpot of over $133,000—raising over $33,000 each for both charities Author of the article: By Itoro Umanah Published Sep 08, 2026 2 minute read Join the conversation A vendor grills ribs behind a stash of trophies and awards at Ribfest in Fort McMurray, Alta. Sept. 6, 2026. PHOTO BY ITORO UMANAH /Postmedia Network Article content Barbeque smoke filled the air last weekend, as eager residents lined up in front of rib-lined grills, ice cream vans and donut trucks at the Wood Buffalo Ribfest. Article content The RibFest, which recently underwent a committee-overhaul in 2025, returned for the second year with a charitable initiative in mind on Friday. Article content Article content Led by Mike Jones, Ribfest chair and marketing and communications lead at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), the event saw families, local vendors, and community members gather at the Centerfire Place and Father Mercredi Football Field to celebrate the long weekend. Article content Attendees line up for freshly barbequed ribs at Ribfest in Fort McMurray, Alta. Sept. 6, 2026. PHOTO BY ITORO UMANAH /Postmedia Network Article content Drawing in a crowd of excited festgoers, the event saw over 14,000 residents attend from Friday to just yesterday. Article content Jones said this is a notable increase from last year’s numbers. Article content “It’s significantly more than last year, when we saw around 10,000 attendees,” he said. Article content The Ribfest relies much on the support of the local community to run its full program, and the pressure was felt this year. Article content Article content Toggle full screen mode Previous Gallery Image Attendees enjoy a live performance at Ribfest in Fort McMurray, Alta. Sept. 6, 2026. Local artist Tyler Whelan performs on the Myco Electric stage at Ribfest in Fort McMurray, Alta. Sept. 6, 2026. Papa Jack's serves up their famous blooming onion at Ribfest in Fort McMurray, Alta. Sept. 6, 2026. A child rides the mechanical bull at Ribfest in Fort McMurray, Alta. Sept. 6, 2026.Photo by Itoro Umanah /Postmedia Network Next Gallery Image Toggle gallery captions View All 4 Photos 1 of…