17 facts about the food at Naperville's Ribfest

• Twelve ribbers will tickle the taste buds of Ribfest visitors.

• Two ribbers — Uncle Bub's and Robinson's — are from the Chicago area, while others hail from Georgia, Ohio, Texas and Virginia.

• Thirty-eight sauces will be available to personalize the taste and tang of each rack of ribs.

• Roughly 6,900 pounds of beef brisket and 1,278 pounds of pork butts were sold at last year's fest — not to mention the roughly 5,000 pounds of ribs each ribber smoked and grilled to perfection.

• As many as three ribbers will go home winners: one for best ribs, another for best sauce and a third for kid's choice.

• Last year's top finishers are returning, except the first-place finisher in best sauce.

• Twenty-three judges will taste-test each rib and sauce beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.

• Twelve kids make up the panel that will pick the kid's choice winner.

• Want to sample those chosen as best? Listen in during an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday, then head to Ribber Row.

• Eighteen other food vendors await, as if ribs aren't enough.

• Three of those vendors are appearing at Ribfest for the first time.

• Two are Naperville restaurants: Hugo's Frog Bar and Eggs Inc.

• One is from a casino, so it might be a good bet: Flavors Buffet at Harrah's Casino, Joliet.

• Two sell fruit, but it's usually dipped in chocolate or served as a topping on ice cream.

• Two sell vegetables, but they're fried or creamed.

• Prices range from $4 or $5 for sandwiches and sides to $25 for a full-slab rib dinner, and each ribber will charge the same amount for the same menu item.