Lake in the Hills Ribfest looks to top last year's success
With Lake in the Hill's previous summer salute to ribs a big success, festival organizers anticipate more of the same this weekend.
As many as 20,000 people are expected at this year's sixth annual Lake in the Hills Rockin' Ribfest, which opens today and runs through Sunday in the village's Sunset Park.
Last year, the festival attracted approximately 17,000 visitors, said James Wales, Ribfest chairman and Lake in the Hills director of police and public safety. The vendors have been quite impressed with the recent turnouts.
“Two years ago, they all said the volume of people who visited took the experience to the next level,” Wales said. “And I think we had our best turnout yet last year.”
There will be eight rib vendors, most hailing from the Midwest, and six other vendors specializing in typical festival foods.
Many of the vendors travel nationally promoting their food. Jerry Gibson of Pigfoot BBQ Co., in West Salem, Ohio, said their staff is used to large crowds and the festival life. They have traveled as far as the Dakotas and Florida for events.
“We just enjoy traveling across the country,” Gibson said. “We are a group of mass eaters.”
Gibson said they will hire a few volunteers at Ribfest, while also bringing in their own group. There will be around 300 to 400 volunteers at this year's festivities.
Uncle Bub's, of suburban Westmont, will bring in their own staff to work their stand. Also a national traveler, Uncle Bub's has gone as far west as Arizona for festivals.
Jay Bushford, director of operations of the restaurant, said showcasing in their home state is of added significance.
“We always try to step up our game here locally because we want to attract the people to our restaurant,” Bushford said. “Our business isn't too far away, and we want people to stop in.”
National musical acts The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Starship will headline Friday and Saturday night's entertainment. There will be eight other acts performing during the four-day festival. There will also be the fourth annual Rockin' Ribfest Car Show on Saturday, July 9.
All proceeds from Ribfest will go toward the Lake in the Hills Rotary Charities. The festival is presented by the village's Rotary Club, a worldwide service organization that donates time and money to local organizations and charities. The Lake in the Hills Rotary Club reported that last year Ribfest generated around $100,000 in revenue.
Wales said this is the club's largest annual fundraiser, and that many projects are funded through Ribfest, including food pantries, scholarship programs, wellness programs and international relief.
“It enables us to do quite a bit with all the profit that is realized,” Wales said.
Rockin' Ribfest runs from today, July 7 through Sunday. July 10 at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road in Lake in the Hills. Tickets are $5 for people ages 12 and older; children younger than 12 get in free. For details, visit lithribfest.com, call (847) 742-3378 or email root@lithribfest.com.
If you go
What: Lake in the Hills sixth annual Rockin' Ribfest
When: 4:30 to 11 p.m. today and Friday, July 7-8; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 10
Where: Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills
Cost: Admission is $5 for ages 12 and older; 11 and younger admitted free
Details: (847) 742-3378 or lithribfest.com