Naperville’s Ribfest is celebrating its 25th anniversary
Naperville’s Ribfest is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend.
For 25 years, the festival has attracted large crowds with the promise of top, award-winning rib vendors and a diverse array of entertainment, and this year will be no different.
Hosted by the Naperville Exchange Club, Ribfest runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 29, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday to Tuesday, June 30 through July 3, at Naperville’s Knoch Park.
Ticket prices are date-specific, but no more than $25 any day and includes admission to the park and the concert. Children 11 and younger are free each day with a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased online at ribfest.net or at the gate.
Forty-three local and national bands are scheduled to play during the five-day event.
Notable performers include Joe Walsh, ZZ Top, Grammy nominee Joe Nichols, and Thompson Square, recently named Country Duo of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
The Steve Miller Band, which has sold more than 30 million records more than 40 years, will headline opening night of the festival Friday. A full list of performers can be found at ribfest.net.
“We like to get a real cross-section of music, and for our main acts, we go for cross appeal,” said Julie Lichter, public relations and marketing chair for Ribfest 2012. “We really get an eclectic group. There’s really something for everyone.”
But let’s not forget the main reason Ribfest is such an attraction — the desire to walk around shamelessly with rib sauce dripping from faces and fingers.
Sixteen rib vendors will serve up slabs and signature sauces for festival attendees this year. They also will be judged Sunday, July 1, by Ribfest Chairman Mark Wright, Mayor George Pradel, the police officer and firefighter of the year and various sponsors.
If ribs aren’t really your thing, but you still want to join in the festivities — fear not. A variety of other vendors will be on hand to serve non-rib entrees, concession items and sweets.
Special events include a baseball training camp for kids hosted by the Chicago White Sox from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 30. A former member of the team will be there to sign autographs.
From noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” star Ty Pennington will be joining the Sears “Grilling is Happiness” team, which includes food blogger Robyn Lindars, chef and author Perry Perkins and cooking and lifestyle TV show host George Hirsch, as they perform cooking demonstrations for festival attendees and offer cooking advice.
Kids activities include inflatables, a carnival, a circus aerial show and magic and reptile shows. The Naperville Bank and Trust and Junior Savers sponsored the family area, which is free each day. On Monday, July 2, $10 wristbands can be purchased for unlimited rides.
Lichter said well over 200,000 people are drawn to the event, and that number will be more this year as Ribfest expands to five days from four, as in past years.
The proceeds from the festival go to various social services programs. Most aim to prevent child abuse and domestic violence, while others help senior citizens, the homeless, women’s health programs, crime prevention and pet shelters.
More than $12 million has been raised over the last 25 years, Lichter said, and more than 50 agencies were supported last year.
“Those agencies work really hard day after day to help families in the community,” she said. “The reason we really put on Ribfest is to support the elimination of child abuse and domestic violence.”
If you go
What: 2012 Naperville Ribfest
When: 4-10 p.m. Friday, June 29, and noon-10 p.m. Saturday to Tuesday, June 30 to July 3
Where: Knoch Park in Naperville
Cost: Admission varies by day; children 11 and younger are free with a paying adult
Info: ribfest.net