Annual Ribfest to slab up Lake in the Hills
It will be a finger lickin' good time in Lake in the Hills this weekend, as the fifth annual Rockin' Rotary Ribfest is slated for a four-day stint in Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road.
The fest, which originated from former Rotary Club president Steve Swanson as a fundraising effort for the village, promises to entertain and fill its attendees with family-friendly attractions, a large selection of beverages and food, and a variety of music.
"Some rotary clubs do raffles, some do dinners. We did this Ribfest," Paul Shamoun, event coordinator, said.
The volunteer-based event aims to raise funds for the Rotary Club, which in turn financially aids struggling families and organizations in the village.
In addition, Shamoun said funds raised help the Rotary International group, which aids and supports various projects around the world, including the construction of a library in Guatemala last year.
"Part of our funds go to this program, but the bulk goes back to help the people, and that's the most important part of this festival," he said.
The Woodstock Harley-Davidson, Moretti's Pizza and Miller are among the various event sponsors, as well as a variety of local, regional and national bands gracing the event's main stage.
The Gin Blossoms, whose hits include "Follow You Down" and "Hey Jealousy," will headline the event, while local bands like the Takeouts will make their festival main stage debut.
John Perrin, guitarist for the Takeouts, said the band has always been a collaboration for its members to have fun, and never imagined to make the next step past local club performances.
"It's really cool that we're able to get some better gigs now, but we're in the middle of preparing more songs to play since we haven't in a while," he said.
"It kind of happened out of nowhere. We've never really played any festivals or bigger stages. One of our band member's fathers was contacted by the entertainment booker for the fest, and one thing led to another and here we are," Perrin added.
According to Shamoun, the attendance for each festival has exponentially grown as each year progresses, and plans on the pattern continuing this year.
"In our first year, we gathered about 17,000 festivalgoers. Last year, over 30,000 festivalgoers showed up. I wouldn't be surprised if the number grew even more this year," he said.
Shamoun credits the festival's acceptance rate to the cost-effectiveness. At a cost of only $5 per person, with children 12 and under receiving free admission, festivalgoers are allowed to listen to music, attend the family-friendly kids zone and hang out all day.
For information, visit lithribfest.com or call (847) 742-3378.
Lake in the Hills Ribfest Schedule Thursday, July 8Hans and the Hormones, 6 to 8:15 p.m. From more notable newer music to the older less known classic rock songs, this band wants to keep the crowds jumping and dancing. myspace.com/hansandthehormonesSixteen Candles, 9 to 10:30 p.m. Established in 2003 and re-established in 2006, Sixteen Candles makes it their personal duty and pleasure to bring all the great 80s songs you love to life in full force. sixteencandlesband.comFriday, July 928 Days, 6 to 8:15 p.m. The band began as "Jake to the Bone" in the summer of 2006 and after three years of gigging, periodic changes in musical direction and several personnel changes, a final new direction was established. 28daysband.comHey Jimmy, 9 to 10:30 p.m. Hey Jimmy is the premier party band based out of Chicago. Each member of Hey Jimmy brings their unique talent to each and every stage. And the musical diversity is jaw-dropping. From the music of the 50s to today's dance, pop, rock and RB, they are your iPod come to life. heyjimmyband.comSaturday, July 10The Takeouts, noon to 1 p.m. - The Takeouts are a pop punk ska band from the suburbs of Chicago. facebook.com/pages/The-Takeouts.Vintage, 1:45 to 4:45 p.m. What was old has been made new again, as Vintage breathes new life into a time where bell-bottoms, black lights, platform shoes and lava lamps were the norm. Vintage has only one goal for its live performances: to make it appear as if a band from the 1970s literally dropped down onto a stage in 2010. myspace.com/VintageBandChicago.Chasing the Day, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Flying in the face of conventional wisdom, a mutual respect and interest in the Chicago music scene, longtime friends Jeff Ziegler and Joe Masello have pooled their talents with Johnny Jannotti and Kenny Fetters. chasingtheday.comGin Blossoms, 9 to 10:30 p.m. Gin Blossoms burst onto the top-40 scene in 1993 with their album, "New Miserable Experience." The band offered an amiable and rousing style that fulfilled the need for something other than the dominating grunge and sound of the 90s. ginblossoms.netSunday, July 11Goin' South, 12:45 to 3:45 p.m. Goin' South has been performing Southern rock for more than 25 years. goinsouth.comDown Pour, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Down Pour is an AC/DC tribute band hailing from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. It covers both the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson era, playing the same equipment as AC/DC. downpourband.netTrue16001944Frankie Kominkiewicz, 10, of Lake in the Hills enjoys finger linking ribs from Armadilo's at the third annual Rockin Rotary Ribfest in Lake in the Hills. Frankie said, "I like them a lot".George LeClaire | Staff PhotographerTrue <p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> Lake in the Hills' fifth annual Rockin' Rotary Ribfest</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. today, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 8-11</p><p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills</p><p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $5 for adults, children 12 and younger free; free parking</p><p class="News"<b>>Details:</b> <a href="http://lithribfest.com" target="new">lithribfest.com</a> or (847) 742-3378</p>