Best of blues, barbecue at Vernon Hills Little Bear Ribfest

Blues and barbecue blend to create an ideal adult night out this weekend at the Fifth Annual Vernon Hills Little Bear Ribfest.

Six local vendors will serve ribs at the two-day festival.

"We're keeping the event simple - focused on the best of Chicago ribs and the best of Chicago blues music," said Marty Walsh, Vernon Hills Park District special events supervisor.

While attendees dig into barbecued baby back ribs they can enjoy live music from Chicago blues bands. Five blues artists including Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues and Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials will perform throughout the weekend.

Admission to the event is $5 and all proceeds go to support the Vernon Hills Family Scholarship Fund. The fund helps families pay fees for summer camps and other park district programs.

Sweet Baby Ray's will be returning to the festival after one year off. The other five vendors are Uncle Bub's, Smokin' T's Bar-B-Que, Real Urban Barbecue, The Full Slab and Big Ed's Bar and Grill. Full slabs, half slabs, and tastes of ribs will be sold, with a full slab costing around $24.

"What I often see at rib fests are traveling rib vendors," Walsh said. "Then after, people can't go to the restaurants. My goal is to have local vendors from (Chicago suburbs)."

Along with the main course of ribs, the Mundelein/Vernon Hills/Lincolnshire Rotary Club will be selling sweet corn, and Bobo's will be serving dessert.

The festival, running Friday, Aug. 21 through Saturday, Aug. 22, will take place at Century Park at 1001 Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills.

"It's arguably one of the most beautiful parks in Lake County," Walsh said. "It's in a great location, right on the shore of Little Bear Lake. It will be a great afternoon to walk around and work off that barbecue before your next meal."

The event runs from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday and 3 p.m. to midnight on Saturday. It is suitable mainly for adults, as there will be no carnival rides or children's games.

"It's an affordable good time out for mom and dad," Walsh said.

For information go to littlebearribfest.com or call (847) 996-6800.