The Vernon Ribfest Society (VRS) has asked Vernon city council to intervene in a financial spat with O'Keefe Ranch.

According to a letter sent in by the VRS's president Elaine Gallacher and treasurer Maureen Sather, the society alleges that O'Keefe Ranch has not returned their $7,500 security deposit.

"For Vernon Ribfest 2023, we chose O'Keefe Ranch as the organization to support," the letter said. "We are asking that the security deposit for our festival at O'Keefe Ranch in July 2023, $7,500 plus interest and fees for a total of $9,223.81 be redirected to the Vernon Ribfest Society."

The VRS went to the city because it provides the Ranch with $10,000 a year. In 2023, VRF chose to support the Ranch as a way of supporting an organization in dire financial need. 

According to the VRS, "although O'Keefe has not disclosed publicly or to VRS it is our understanding (from a reliable resource) that approximately $15,000
was collected at the Vernon Ribfest through gate donations over the three-day festival."

O'Keefe Ranch then never returned the security deposit. 

Gallacher and Sather society took a personal, short-term loan to cover the VRF's shortfall and, if the money is not recovered, it will go to their personal mortgage.

At the Monday, Feb. 24 council meeting, Vernon city staff explained that they are not in a position to cover the expense, but recommended O'Keefe Ranch to report on their current financial situation. 

A motion by Mayor Victory Cumming was passed to request O'Keefe Ranch to present its financial situation to council at a time of their convenience in March. 

The VRF cancelled the festival in 2024, citing " circumstances beyond our control," but hopes to bring it back this year.

91裸聊视频淰ernon Ribfest 2025, to the best of our ability, is going to go ahead. It's not secure yet,91裸聊视频� said newly elected society president Gail Dawn Basnett. 

The society hopes to hold the three-day event on the third weekend in July at the Vernon Curling Club parking lot 91裸聊视频� site of the original Vernon Ribfest in 2019, hosted by the Vernon Elks Lodge 91裸聊视频� and is waiting to hear back from the City of Vernon on its application. Ribfest is also waiting for replies from the professional ribbers, the teams that make the sensual meat delights.