Article updated: 6/30/2012 7:25 PM

Ty Pennington grills, greets fans at Ribfest

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"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" star Ty Pennington poses for a photo with Debbie Burke of Downers Grove as he moves around Naperville's Ribfest as part of the Sears Grilling is Happiness team.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Lines form to savor Texas Outlaw's award winning ribs and sauce Saturday during Naperville's 25th annual Ribfest.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" star Ty Pennington offers grilling advice Saturday at Naperville's Ribfest. Reka Juhasz, left, steers the mobile grilling unit brought to the festival by the Sears Grilling is Happiness team.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" star Ty Pennington gets a greeting Saturday from Naperville Mayor George Pradel during the 25th annual Ribfest at Knoch Park. Pennington came to the festival to offer grilling advice and meet fans.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Ty Pennington, star of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," greets fans Saturday at Ribfest in Naperville.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Ron Godsey of Elizabethtown, Kentucky puts the finishing touches on a rack of ribs Saturday at Texas Outlaw's booth at Ribfest in Naperville.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Hours before the main bands of the night drew crowds to Ribfest in Naperville, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" star Ty Pennington attracted hundreds of fans to a tent where he was busy posing for photos and offering grilling advice. "I waited all week for this," said Debbie Burke of Downers Grove after taking a picture with Pennington. "He's so personable. He's brilliant."