Work out or pig out

Back in 1993, Milt Evans invited neighbors over to his backyard after the annual Fox Trot 10-mile run to watch Chicago Bulls playoff games and cook ribs.

Little did the Elgin man know that his neighborhood barbecue would grow into one of the city's ways to start the summer.

"We knew we had a group that would come to downtown Elgin and enjoy ribs -- and it blossomed from there," he said.

The eighth annual Rib Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove St.

Evans' neighborhood cookout grew to about 200 people in its final year, before the city co-sponsored it with the Outdoor Exhibition Group beginning in 2001.

"It started out as a celebration of Memorial Day and the flag sculpture on Walton Island," said Evans, the OEG treasurer and Rib Fest coodinator. "It has a small-town flair to it with a variety of activities."

Last year, it was the first-ever event held at Festival Park and it drew about 5,000 people -- a Rib Fest high mark.

For this year, Evans has doubled the number of food vendors to eight, booked three live bands instead of one, and hired a disc jockey.

As in past years, a competition among families will be held to see who can cook the best ribs.

In addition to bragging rights, the winners receive a gas grill and their names engraved on a plaque that hangs at City Hall, Evans said.

The only two other ingredients needed to make this year's the biggest ever are decent weather and healthy appetites.

While Rib Fest is sure to tickle your taste buds, there is a full plate of activities and events in Elgin on Memorial Day.

Four ceremonies to mark service and sacrifice are planned throughout the city in the morning.

Monday also marks the 31st annual Elgin Valley Fox Trot, which draws thousands.

The event offers races for all levels of competition, including a 10-mile run, a 5K run and a 2-mile fun walk for the entire family.

The two longer runs are endorsed by the Chicago Area Runners Association.

The Elgin Valley Fox Trot event is the largest single fundraiser for the Elgin Parks and Recreation Department Youth Scholarship Fund.

Last year, about $43,000 total was raised for the fund, which helps subsidize recreation program fees for kids ages 17 and under, said Barb Keselica, Elgin's special events coordinator.

The Fox Trot in 2007 raised $17,000 for the fund, which serves about 800 kids annually.

Meanwhile, Rib Fest gives cooks and the curious a chance to make their taste buds tingle and share recipes.

John Reidle, chef and owner of the Elgin catering firm A Private Affair, has participated in each Rib Fest except for last year.

The Elgin resident said he begins preparing well in advance, ordering fresh pork from Wisconsin and using a dry rub on the meat three days beforehand to seal in flavor.

Reidle remembered the first year the city sponsored thw event, with grills set up between City Hall and the Hemmens Cultural Center.

"I could tell the people who were there really loved it. When you have real barbecue, you know it," he said.

"It's awesome to have seen it grow. People are making this an outing now. It's an event for people in Elgin to invite their friends to."

Reidle said he enjoys talking about food with residents and other cooks.

"There's some really great people down there doing some phenomenal barbecue," he said. "It's a passion, no doubt about it."

If you go

A variety of activities and services are planned in Elgin on Monday, Memorial Day.

Services

• 8:45 a.m. Mount Hope Cemetery, 1001 Villa St., Elgin, American Legion and VFW color guard and rifle followed by Catholic mass.

• 9:15 a.m. Lakewood Memorial Park, 30W730 U.S. Highway 29, Elgin. Guard of Honor, American Legion and VFW color guard and rifle squad.

• 9:45 a.m. Highland Avenue Bridge Service, downtown Elgin. Rifle Salute and Taps conducted by Elgin Marine Corp League, Elgin Navy Club and Northern Kane County VietNow.

• 11 a.m. Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Blvd., Elgin. Presented by Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association, reading of General Logan's General Order #11, the Gettysburg Address, Roll Call of the Deceased, Floral Tributes, Raising of the Flag, Rifle Salute and Taps.

Activities

• Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way. All you can eat for $5.

• 31st annual Fox Trot, 8 a.m., Elgin Civic Center, 150 Dexter Court. A 5k run, 10-mile run and 2-mile fun walk to benefit the Elgin Youth Scholarship Fund. Race participants receive a T-shirt. Registration available on race day. It is $30 race day for the 5k and 10 mile run; $5 per person or $18 for a family of four for 2 mile walk. For information, call (847) 531-7056 or visit www.cityofelgin.org.

• Eighth annual Rib Fest, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. Numerous food vendors: Al's Café & Creamery; Famous Kal's, Boondocks B-B-Q and Grill; M.T. Barrels Restaurant & Brewery; Hemmens Concessions; Elgin Public House; Canyon Creek Bar-B-Qu; A Private Affair, Ltd.; and JC's Barbecue. Free admission and live entertainment. (847) 531-7056. Presented by the City of Elgin and the Outside Exhibition Group.