It's more about just the food at Penticton's new-look Ribfest event.

The party is officially on inside Okanagan Lake Park, as locals and visitors alike gather for the inaugural SummerCamp Ribfest from Sept. 13 to 15.

An early Friday afternoon crowd got the first taste of what's on deck this weekend, as ribbers from across Canada served up their first batch of barbecue goods.

"It's always a good time," said Jamie, one of the ribbers of London, Ontario's Boss Hog's BBQ. "We're all having fun up here, and those good times are infectious."

This year's event was taken over by Vancouver-based organizers after the Rotary Club of Penticton said in January it no longer be hosting festivities.

From Skaha Lake to Okanagan Lake, the event has come back to the north end of the city with a fresh set of ideas.

Among those includes adult-sized games like "tug of war" and cornhole. Both activities are open to the public all weekend long.

Each night of the three-day event will feature a headline band. First up, on Friday, is the Okanagan's Jack and Jill.

Games, music, craft vendors, and a beer garden join the action on the west side of the park, where five ribbers are cooking meat and competing in the RibFest competition.

Food lovers have begun voting on which ribs they like the best. Winners will be announced on Sunday, Sept. 15.

"Everybody here makes good ribs," Jamie said, who served as one of five people Friday handing out sauce samples to the public. "The sauce should be the difference maker, and when everyone tries it before eating, they'll know which ribs suit their palate the best."

Along with London and Port Dover, Ont., Victoria, Regina, and Penticton are the cities represented at the festival. The hometown ribbers, Smoke Dem Bones, are vying to keep the hardware in the Peach City.

The fun continues on Saturday and Sunday, with entry into the festival itself free of admission.

According to its new organizers, SummerCamp RibFest in Penticton will support Ambassadors of Compassion through its charitable partner, the LIFTED Youth and Mental Health Foundation.