Lake in the Hills Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest celebrates 20 years of barbecue, music, community
A new generation is stepping up to put together Lake in the Hills Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest, which is celebrating its 20th year.
Lake in the Hill Rotary Club member Nicky Covarrubias, 27, is co-chairing the event with Lindsay Herrera, 49, whom he describes as a “fantastic mentor.” Huntley Rotary Club members will soon be merging with the Lake in the Hills club, and members say the expansion will bring new energy to help their mission of serving the community.
The festival takes place from 4:30-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 9-10; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 11; and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. Admission is $10, $5 for seniors, and free for active military with ID and kids 12 and younger accompanied by an adult. For details, visit Rockinrotaryribfest.com.
Highlights include professional pitmasters and vendors, carnival rides by Windy City Amusements, live music and a larger Ribfest Market.
“This year, we will have over 60 business vendors in our revamped Ribfest Market with the help of the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce,” Covarrubias said. “We will also have merch for the first time ever to celebrate this milestone.”
Festgoers should bring their appetites, as there will be seven rib vendors this year, as well as an increase in the non-rib food vendors. Rib vendors include Cowboys Barbeque & Rib Co., Pigfoot BBQ & Rib Co., Texas Outlaw BBQ, Porky Chicks BBQ, After Hours Barbeque, Texas Lightning BBQ, and The House of Brisket, an Illinois-based vendor.
Other food vendors include Barones, Bubble Gum Concessions, Dr. Vegetable, Dairy Queen, Kelly’s Cups, La Pequena Mariposa, Happy Dawg, Happy’s Badass Bavarians, Polish Shack, Smash’d Burgers and the Rotary selling fresh roasted corn.
Live music plays an important role at Ribfest, and organizers start planning and booking the bands nearly a year in advance, Covarrubias said. The lineup includes: Thursday: Alt 101 at 6:45 p.m. and Kashmir at 9 p.m.; Friday: Y2K at 6:45 p.m. and Too Hype Crew at 9 p.m.; Saturday: Mac O’Brien at noon, The PriSSillas at 2 p.m., Anthem at 4:15 p.m., Loudernow at 6:30 p.m., and Mr. Speed at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: YPHRUM at noon, Second Hand News at 2 p.m., and Hello Weekend at 4:30 p.m.
“Personally, I am excited to host Mr. Speed, the best KISS tribute band in the world on (Saturday),” Covarrubias said. “We always take recommendations through email and Facebook to see what the community wants to hear, and this year, we are starting a new tradition of hosting an up-and-coming local band on Sunday morning at our main stage.”
Cold drinks are key on a hot summer day, and this year’s beer tent will have plenty of options.
“We have five beers at the fest, with one specially in partnership with Crystal Lake Brewing. We try to support local in any way possible, and, with our cocktails, we will have more than eight, with brands such as Carbliss, Sun Cruiser, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and our most popular, Dogfish Head. We also will have specialty frozen drinks with our friends at Rush Creek Distilling.”
Big tippers at the beer tent will be recognized in a special way this year, Covarrubias added.
“Traditionally, when someone tips at the beer tent, all of us at the tent ring a cowbell. For our 20th anniversary, JF Creations is donating and creating a three-foot cowbell that can actually be rung if you tip $30 or more. It weighs almost 400 pounds and is going to be epic.” All tips will support community nonprofits.
Non-alcoholic options include pop, water, dirty soda and lemonade.
Covarrubias has a few tips for festivalgoers.
“Come early,” he advises. “While we have a large parking lot, we expect a big year for our anniversary, and have off-site parking on Saturday from 3 to 11 p.m. at Marlowe Middle School. Also, wear your Ribfest gear on Sunday; the person who has the best Ribfest spirit will be able to be a Ribfest judge on Sunday.”
Rib judging is at 3:45 p.m. Interested participants can message a photo of their outfit to the club’s Facebook account.
Covarrubias offers a shoutout to the 215 volunteers who work to make the fest happen — as well as an invitation.
“The Break Teen Center helps us keep our tables clean and the Northern Illinois University hockey team helps keep our grounds clear; and (we) can’t be more proud of our community partners to have one of the cleanest fests in McHenry County,” he said.
“If you’re interested in joining (Rotary), reach out on Facebook or on lithrotary.org. Anyone is welcome, and it doesn’t matter where you live, you’re able to join and change the world with us!”