17 facts about the food at Naperville's Ribfest
• Twelve ribbers will tickle the taste buds of Ribfest visitors.
• Two ribbers — Uncle Bub's and Robinson's — are from the Chicago area, while others hail from Georgia, Ohio, Texas and Virginia.
• Thirty-eight sauces will be available to personalize the taste and tang of each rack of ribs.
• Roughly 6,900 pounds of beef brisket and 1,278 pounds of pork butts were sold at last year's fest — not to mention the roughly 5,000 pounds of ribs each ribber smoked and grilled to perfection.
• As many as three ribbers will go home winners: one for best ribs, another for best sauce and a third for kid's choice.
• Last year's top finishers are returning, except the first-place finisher in best sauce.
• Twenty-three judges will taste-test each rib and sauce beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.
• Twelve kids make up the panel that will pick the kid's choice winner.
• Want to sample those chosen as best? Listen in during an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday, then head to Ribber Row.
• Eighteen other food vendors await, as if ribs aren't enough.
• Three of those vendors are appearing at Ribfest for the first time.
• Two are Naperville restaurants: Hugo's Frog Bar and Eggs Inc.
• One is from a casino, so it might be a good bet: Flavors Buffet at Harrah's Casino, Joliet.
• Two sell fruit, but it's usually dipped in chocolate or served as a topping on ice cream.
• Two sell vegetables, but they're fried or creamed.
• Prices range from $4 or $5 for sandwiches and sides to $25 for a full-slab rib dinner, and each ribber will charge the same amount for the same menu item.