OAKHURST — Leave the fancy clothes at home and arrive hungry for a night of food, friends and fundraising, as the celebration of messy faces known as Rib Fest takes place on Saturday, June 22. The evening is a milestone: the event’s 20th year.
This all-you-can-eat barbecue dinner offers more than 500 pounds of pork ribs prepared by teams from local service organizations including Elks, Kiwanis and both Rotary clubs — Oakhurst Sierra and Sunrise. The competition is fierce to see who will be crowned as providing the “Best Ribs” each year.
Diners can look forward to buckets of ribs, famous Soroptimist beans and coleslaw, warm garlic bread, desserts by Mountain Community Women, a no-host bar and more ribs.
Part of the fun features a raffle and silent auction items generously donated by individuals and businesses in our community. Insiders say prize packages include a stay including breakfast at Tenaya Lodge, a 50-inch television donated by Robert Brosi, DDS and many more.
The Oakhurst Community Center hosts a bevy of significant events in the mountain community and serves as a centerpiece for philanthropic fundraising activities, town hall meetings, voting, disaster refuge, bingo, social events and more. With two buildings, two kitchens, a meeting room, and spacious grounds, the Community Center is the location of private and civic events, and this is an important fundraiser dedicated to its maintenance and upkeep.
Plans for a community center in Oakhurst were first conceived in the early 1960s when members of the mountain area felt the need for a place where citizens could gather for dinners, meetings and other social activities. The land for the center was generously donated by a long-time area resident and, finished in 1965, the community hub was built primarily with volunteer labor and donated materials. The Oakhurst Community Center continues to operate with a volunteer Board of Directors made up mostly of members of community-based organizations and service clubs.
Purchase your ticket before they are sold out — proceeds benefit the Oakhurst Community Center. Doors open at 5:30 and dinner starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets to RibFest are $25 per person or $10 for anyone under 10 years old. Tickets available in advance at Oakhurst Giftworks and Dorsey’s Hallmark. You may also purchase online 24/7 with a small convenience fee or by calling Nora at (559) 642-7889. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Sponsors for the event include Sierra Tel, Rotary Club of Oakhurst Sierra, Sierra Asset Management, Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis, Soroptimist International of the Sierras and Sullivan’s Tire Pros.
