Among members of the parliamentary press gallery, there are no two more cherished events in June than the Ottawa Ribfest and the rising of the House.

The Ribfest is an annual celebration of the hog (and what happens to its best meaty bits, when soaked in sauce and dragged across a grill). The centre of the piggy action is on the Sparks Street Mall just outside the back door of the National Press Building, where many hill hacks have offices.

The second event, while nowhere near as exciting as a pulled pork sandwich with a side of slaw, is perhaps a bit more central to the press gallery's work. Every year, typically in June, the House of Commons rises, which is really just a fancy way to say it takes the summer off.

Wednesday was the first official day of the Ribfest. It was also the day the House was expected to rise.

But parliament being parliament, no one was taking anything for granted. The question on nearly every reporter's lips, today, "Do you think the House will rise," was followed only by these two, offered nearly always, together: "What are you doing for lunch? Do you want to get some ribs?"

Speculation reached a fervor about noon hour. Just as the barbecues were reaching peak temp on Sparks Street, reporters were tapping their toes anxiously inside the halls of the centre block, waiting for Conservative caucus to break, and along with it, perhaps word, the summer would soon begin.

"We'll see," was the best the government House Leader's office could muster.

The Liberals could offer not much more: "There's no reason we shouldn't finish up today."

There were no legislative sticking points clogging the order paper, no key matters of financial administration, no major disagreements that could prevent the summer from starting, only word that one party, perhaps the Bloc, was not quite prepared to go yet.

By four o'clock, the prospect appeared dead. The House would not rise Wednesday, perhaps, not until Friday, which, looked at from the perspective of a half full glass, means two more days of ribs left to enjoy.