Not that this is a huge surprise, but it is a huge disappointment.

The Rotary Club of Kamloops Daybreak has officially announced the cancellation of Ribfest 2020, just one day after the city cancelled Canada Day festivities at Riverside Park because of COVID-19.

“Daybreak Rotary takes public safety and health very seriously and given the directive from Dr. Bonnie Henry, has no other option than to cancel this very popular event,” said chair Danica Wilkinson.

“Kamloops Ribfest has become a signature event in Kamloops, and while thousands of visitors were looking forward to the event this year, we know that it is not feasible with the current situation projected to extend through the summer.”

She says the popular Riffest Raffle will be moving online starting in May, with a goal to raise over $30,000 for the local charities and organizations. Wilkinson estimates RibFest has raised over $650,000 for charities and organizations in its eight year history.

As for Hot Nite in the City which runs that same weekend, co-organizers Peter Mahaits and Ron Popov expect to make a decision by the end of this month.

There’s also no word yet on the fate of Music in the Park, the city’s longest running music festival, which takes place in July and August at Riverside Park.