Naperville Ribfest serves up ribs, music and more for a cause
Ribfest has been voted the Best Fest in the Midwest for 15 years in a row.
Why?
It's four full days of music, entertainment, food and fun — enough to draw more than 250,000 people to Naperville's Knoch Park over the Fourth of July weekend.
The festival is open noon to 10 p.m. Friday through Monday, July 1-4. Admission is $12 per person, free for kids ages 11 and younger.
Sponsored by the Exchange Club of Naperville, proceeds from Ribfest will be donated to a variety of organizations that aid in the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence. Through Ribfest, the Exchange Club has raised more than $10 million and given grants to more than 50 nonprofit organizations in the area over the last 24 years.
Music at the festival will have something for everyone, with a lineup of major acts, up-and-coming bands and community talent. There will be 38 bands performing over the course of the festival covering classics, rock, blues, country and more.
For the second year, main stages will be located at the north and south ends of the festival to ensure even more musical performances, including headlining acts STYX and REO Speedwagon.
Local bands like Joe's Garage Band and The Waterdawgs will play on the same stages as Phil Vassar, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Grand Funk Railroad. A full listing of bands and the performance schedule can be found at ribfest.net.
But Ribfest is nothing without the ribs.
This year, 14 of the country's best rib vendors have been recruited to serve up samples and slabs for festival-goers. They'll also compete.
Each vendor will be judged and the top three winners for best ribs and best sauce will be announced Monday, July 4.
This year's judges will include Ribfest Chairman Jerry Kochurka, Naperville Mayor George Pradel, the police officer and firefighter of the year, and ABC 7's “Hungry Hound” food reporter Steve Dolinsky.
The Southern Living BBQ on tour also will be providing cooking — free demonstrations, food samples and tasty recipes to take home and try out in your own kitchen.
There will be entertainment and activities that the whole family can enjoy. The Navistar Family Area will feature inflatables, circus aerial shows, magic shows, a petting zoo, a hands-on activity tent and more. A full carnival operates throughout the festival's run.
The celebrations will come to a close with an elaborate fireworks show Monday, July 4, starting at 9:30 p.m.