A large army is needed to ensure the repeated success of the Rotary Ribfest this August.

Last year, Ribfest saw 591 volunteer shifts that totalled more than 3,600 volunteer hours for the weekend-long, said Rotarian Tim Lounsbury.

Typically, it takes a small army of volunteers to put on a large, successful, free community events, the likes of Ribfest, he noted.

But this year, a larger number of 鈥� at least 800 鈥� volunteers are needed for the fourth yearling food fundraiser organized by 91原创鈥檚 four Rotary Clubs.

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The Ribfest volunteer website proclaims that 鈥榁olunteers have the most fun at Ribfest,鈥� and Lounsbury agrees and says in addition to the fun, it鈥檚 the people he meets that make volunteering such a great time.

鈥淚 meet so many wonderful people who not only enjoy the ribs, but they also enjoy the other foods, activities, and entertainment,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful event for all.鈥�

There are numerous volunteer opportunities for individuals, businesses, non-profits, and students.

Having fun is a great way to build camaraderie among corporate staff and for non-profit groups, honorariums may be available, said Ribfest chairperson Rick Davis, noting that students can accumulate volunteer hours and have a blast doing it.

鈥淩ibfest 91原创 is an event to support the community and as part of that support, we seek partnerships with many organizations of different types. It鈥檚 a fun way to raise funds while giving back through volunteering,鈥� explained Davis.

There are 12 areas where help is needed, among them the kidzone, guest services, the Rotary Cookhouse, event set-up and tear down, the 鈥淕reen Team,鈥� and cashiers 鈥� to name just a few. Even event photographers and videographers are needed.

Whether people enjoy working behind the scenes or want to be where the action is, there is something for everyone, said Rotarian Karen Long, 91原创 Ribfest鈥檚 volunteer chair.

鈥淭he majority of volunteers have experience and skills to offer,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f you love having fun, meeting new people, or being a 91原创 ambassador, this is a wonderful opportunity for you.鈥�

Planning has been underway since Ribfest 2022 and organizers discovered that the green team, parking services, and kidzone are the areas most in need of volunteers.

鈥淲e have been fortunate to connect with local organizations and businesses who are registering as teams and overseeing certain volunteer areas, dates, and shifts,鈥� Long explained. 鈥淧ick an area, date, and time to make this a team-building opportunity or service project.鈥�

Signing up to volunteer at Ribfest is easy and can be done three ways, on the website at www.ribfestlangley.com/volunteer, by emailing info@langleyvolunteers.ca, or even pick up the good old-fashioned telephone and call Karen Long, 604-418-9507.

The Ribfest runs Aug. 18 to 20 at McLeod Athletic Park in 91原创.

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