Ribs, rock and rap on the menu at Lake in the Hills Rockin' Ribfest
Lake in the Hills Rockin' Ribfest, the signature fundraising event for the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club, is all about barbecue and live music.
The four-day festival takes place 4:30 to 11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, July 12-13; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 14; and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills.
Admission is $7 on Thursday, 11:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday and all day Sunday; $10 Friday and 3-11 p.m. Saturday; free for active military with ID or kids, age 12 and younger, accompanied by an adult. Details are available at lithribfest.com or by calling (847) 742-3378.
This year's barbecue vendors include BBQ King Smokehouse from Woodstock; Texas Outlaw BBQ from Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Pigfoot BBQ & Rib Co. from Mentor, Ohio; Fine Smoke from Columbus, Ohio; Armadillo's BBQ from Atlanta, Georgia; After Hours BBQ from Orville, Ohio; Mojo's Rib Shack from New Franklin, Ohio; and new this year, Texas Thunder BBQ from Borger, Texas.
Other food vendors serving the festival are Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Dr. Vegetable, Hey Brothers Ice Cream, and the Huntley Rotary Club whose members will be roasting fresh corn on the cob.
Musical entertainment will be Run Forrest Run from 6-8 p.m. and Too White Crew from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday; Bluprint from 6-8:15 p.m. and Who's Bad from 9-10:30 p.m. Friday; Bucket #6 from 2:45-4:45 p.m., The Ron Burgundys from 5:30-7:45 p.m. and Little River Band from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday; and Downpour from noon-3 p.m., and Libido Funk Circus from 3:45-6 p.m. Sunday.
On Sunday, amateur chefs are invited to participate in the Lip-Smackin' BBQ Smack-Down Community Rib Cook-Off, limited to 30 participants. There is a $40 entry fee. Registration and details are available at lithribfest.com.
Kids' games and activities will also be available, as well as booths featuring local vendors and artisans. Coolers, outside food and drink and pets are not permitted.
All proceeds from Rockin' Ribfest go to support the Lake in the Hills Rotary charities and all of its charitable projects both locally and internationally.