Get your taste buds ready for Vernon Hills Ribfest

The inaugural Little Bear Ribfest will showcase legendary down-home Chicago blues and award-winning ribs in Vernon Hills.The community event will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, in Century Park on Lakeview Parkway, north of Route 60 in Vernon Hills.Visitors can bring lawn chairs to relax by the lake for blues and food for the event sponsored by the Vernon Hills Park District and Best Buy of Vernon Hills.Five Chicago-area vendors will be on-site barbecuing ribs: Sweet Baby Ray#146;s (Wood Dale), Uncle Bub#146;s (Westmont), Real Urban Barbecue (Highland Park), Smokin#146; T#146;s (Long Grove), and The Full Slab (Third Lake). Wine and beer will be available.Best Buy of Vernon Hills#146; Geek Squad will be on-site near the beer tent and flat screen TVs will be tuned to the Chicago Bears preseason game Friday night against the Tennessee Titans.Former Bear James #147;Big Cat#148; Williams will visit from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday for photos and autographs. Friday night entertainment includes blues legends Lonnie Brooks and Eddy #147;The Chief#148; Clearwater. Jake Elwood, featuring the BIG FUN show, will perform Saturday evening.Volunteers from the Vernon Hills Lions Club, Mundelein/Vernon Hills Rotary Club, Saint Mary of Vernon Church and the Knights of Columbus will assist throughout the event.Admission is $5 per person ages 5 and older; food and beverages are extra; entertainment is free.Proceeds from the Little Bear Ribfest will benefit the Vernon Hills Park District Family Scholarship Fund.For details, visit www.littlebearribfest.com.