Huey Lewis, Heart coming to Ribfest

This summer it will be hip to be in Naperville where the heart of rock and roll is still beating.

The Naperville Exchange Club has announced Huey Lewis and the News and Heart will be two of the four headliners at the annual summer festival.

Ribfest will take place from July 2 to 5 in Knoch Park near downtown Naperville. In addition to musical performances, there also will be carnival rides, food and other entertainment.

Proceeds from the event benefit groups that fight child abuse. Last year the Naperville Exchange Club raised more than $700,000 for more than 50 area charities.

Heart will take the stage on opening night this summer. Ann and Nancy Wilson appeared at Ribfest in 2007 before a sold-out crowd. Their hits include "Barracuda," "Crazy on You" and "These Dreams" and they hope to make a few more when they return to the studio to record their 14th album this year.

"Heart has proved to be good," entertainment Chairman Matt Kaley said. "We had a very good turnout for them last time and those that came out to see them all raved about the performance, so I'm pretty certain that they will be back and those that were not able to see them will come out."

Closing out the festival on July 5 will be Huey Lewis and the News. The band is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide. The Grammy winners have produced such hits as "Heart of Rock and Roll," "Hip to be Square" and "The Power of Love."

"Huey Lewis has just not been around (this area) and we've never had him at our festival," Kaley said. "I haven't heard of him at any other competing festivals and it goes along the lines of what we traditionally get in terms of classic rock bands."

Organizers are still working on booking two additional headliners as well as bands for their second stage. So far the only second-stage act announced is Blue Oyster Cult, which will perform July 2.

"We'll have the same high quality as we are known for," Kaley said.

For more information about Ribfest visit ribfest.net.