Ribfest: Food, fireworks and fundraising
For Ribfest Chairman Don Emery, the best moments of the upcoming four-day festival aren't about the big-name bands or even the award-winning ribs.
It's seeing Knoch Park transformed, then watching the events in full swing on opening night.
"The first night when the field is lit with balloons, vendors, music and about 50,000 to 70,000 people, that's about as cool as it gets," Emery said. "You know it's going to work and you're going to raise the money and get to give it away."
The Naperville Exchange Club's four-day festival will be open from noon to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at Knoch Park, West Street at Hillside Road. Tickets are $10 at the gate or $8 if purchased in advance at area Jewel grocery stores. Children 11 and under are free. To find discounts, check ribfest.net as well as Pepsi cans.
The event will feature live music, food, fireworks, carnival rides, games, petting zoo and more, with proceeds going to charity.
"We like to think of it as a great four-day festival that happens to be in place to be able to give away money for (fighting) child abuse and domestic violence," Emery said. "That's our main purpose for doing this, and on top of that it's a great way to spend a day for a family."
Last year the festival raised a record $800,000. Emery expects about 250,000 visitors over the four days this year.
Ribfest's special events have something for everyone. Among them is a touring exhibit from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, which is just beginning its two-year tour across the country.
Making a repeat appearance, the Chicago White Sox will have a free baseball training camp for children from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday with coaches from the Sox/Bulls Training Academy in Lisle. A former player also will be on site to sign autographs.
In the expo area, Maybelline New York and Garnier Nutritioniste will be giving demonstrations of cosmetic and skin care products.
Some visitors may need a little makeup touch-up after partaking in the festival's title treat. Seventeen rib vendors will be on hand, each hoping to win accolades from Ribfest judges for their ribs and sauce.
"We're at the point where we have rib vendors dying to get into the event, and only the best rib vendors from all over the country get it," Emery said.
Hitting the stage this year to provide the soundtrack for the festival will be Ted Nugent at 8 p.m. Thursday, REO Speedwagon at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Joan Jett at 8 p.m. Saturday and Trace Adkins at 8:15 p.m. Sunday. Other performers throughout the weekend also include Big Head Todd, The Turtles, Foghat and Average White Band.
There's no extra charge to see the shows once visitors are in the gates, but Emery recommends showing up early to avoid a sellout.
And a Fourth of July festival wouldn't be complete without fireworks. Emery said this year's display, done in partnership with the city and park district, will be the best in the festival's history and will top any in the western suburbs. Free admission begins at 8 p.m. Friday and the first sparks will reach the sky about 9:30 p.m. The fireworks will be simulcast with music - also revamped this year - and broadcast on The River, 95.9 FM.
For a complete schedule of events and activities, visit ribfest.net.
Ribfest schedule
THURSDAY
Noon Festival opens
2:30-3:30 p.m. Painkiller Hotel on the main stage
3:30-4:30 p.m. Ernie and the Makebelieve on the Rock & Roll Stage
4-5 p.m. Gurus of Blues on the main stage
5-6 p.m. T.D. Clark on the Rock & Roll Stage
6-7:30 p.m. Dirty Dan Buck and the Boyzz on the main stage
6:30-8 p.m. Back Yard Tire Fire on the Rock & Roll Stage
8-9:30 p.m. Ted Nugent on the main stage
8:30-10 p.m. Big Head Todd on the Rock & Roll Stage
10 p.m. Festival closes
FRIDAY
Noon Festival opens
12:30-1:30 p.m. Mother Was Right on the main stage
12:30 p.m. Forms in Motion Circus in the family area
1:30 p.m. Tim Balster Magic Show in the family area
2-3 p.m. Joe's Garage on the main stage
2:30 p.m. Forms in Motion Circus in the family area
2:30 p.m. School of the Performing Arts in the family area
3:30-4:30 p.m. 7th Heaven on the main stage
3:30 p.m. Tim Balster Magic Show in the family area
4-5 p.m. Home Cookin' on the Rock & Roll Stage
4:30 p.m. Forms in Motion Circus in the family area
5-7 p.m. Mr. Blotto on the Rock & Roll Stage
5-6:30 p.m. The Steepwater Band on the main stage
5:30 p.m. Tim Balster Magic Show in the family area
7:15-8:45 p.m. REO Speedwagon on the main stage
7:30-9 p.m. The Turtles featuring Flo and Eddie on the Rock & Roll Stage
9:30 p.m. Fireworks
10 p.m. Festival closes
SATURDAY
Noon Festival opens
Noon-2 p.m. Naperville Park District High School Battle of the Bands Winners on the main stage
12:30 p.m. Forms in Motion Circus in the family area
1-3 p.m. Baseball Training Camp by Bulls/Sox Academy instructors near the Rock & Roll Stage
1:30 p.m. Tim Balster Magic Show in the family area
2:30-3:30 p.m. Wheelhouse on the main stage
2:30 p.m. Forms in Motion Circus in the family area
2:30 p.m. Jesse White Tumblers in the family area
3:30-4:30 p.m. Waterdawgs on the Rock & Roll Stage
3:30 p.m. Tim Balster Magic Show in the family area
4-5:30 p.m. Junkyard Groove on the main stage
4:30 p.m. Forms in Motion Circus in the family area
5-6 p.m. Tumbling Dice on the Rock & Roll Stage
5:30 p.m. Tim Balster Magic Show in the family area
6-7 p.m. Halfway Jane on the main stage
6:30-8 p.m. West Side Winders on the Rock & Roll Stage
8-9:30 p.m. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on the main stage
8:30-10 p.m. Foghat on the Rock & Roll Stage
10 p.m. Festival closes
SUNDAY
Noon Festival opens
12:15-1:30 p.m. The Limited Edition Big Band on the main stage
12:30 p.m. Forms in Motion Circus in the family area
1:30 p.m. Tim Balster Magic Show in the family area
2-3 p.m. The Paul Avers Band on the main stage
2:30 p.m. Forms in Motion Circus in the family area
2:30 p.m. McNulty Irish Dancers in the family area
3:30-5 p.m. Janesville on the main stage
3:30-4:30 p.m. Radio Jetstream on the Rock & Roll Stage
3:30 p.m. Tim Balster Magic Show in the family area
4:30 p.m. Forms in Motion Circus in the family area
5-6 p.m. Echo on the Rock & Roll Stage
5:30-7:30 p.m. Trace Adkins on the main stage
5:30 p.m. Tim Balster Magic Show in the family area
6:30-8 p.m. The Hat Guys on the Rock & Roll Stage
8:30-10 p.m. Average White Band on the Rock & Roll Stage
10 p.m. Festival closes