Glen Ellyn Backyard BBQ returns Sept. 9

This year, summer won't end with Labor Day. In Glen Ellyn, it continues through the ninth annual Backyard BBQ.

From noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, vendors will sell barbecue, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream and even crabcakes in the Glenwood Avenue parking lot on Crescent Boulevard, between Main Street and Prospect Avenue. Two Brothers will offer beer on tap.

The music stage will feature some Chicago-area favorites: EP8 at noon; The Generation Gap Band at 1 p.m.; Lake Effect at 2:30 p.m.; Expo 76 and the Total Pro Horns at 4:45 p.m.; and Ralph Covert and the Bad Examples at 7:45 p.m.

Family activities include Piglet Playland, with bounce houses, games and face painting for the kids, plus a dunk tank for everyone.

The Backyard BBQ is the largest amateur barbecue contest in Illinois, with 60 teams competing for Best Ribs, Best Chicken, Best Dish and Best Sauce. Fest-goers are encouraged to vote for a favorite sauce and get tips from the home chefs.

For information, visit glenellynbackyardbbq.org or email info@glenellynbackyardbbq.org.

The Backyard BBQ benefits Bridge Communities, a nonprofit organization that provides housing, mentoring and supportive services to homeless families in DuPage County. In the past 29 years, Bridge Communities has helped almost 800 families cross the bridge from homelessness to hope and self-sufficiency. For information, visit bridgecommunities.org.