Naperville Ribfest expands with more food, music and fun

Even veteran Ribfest-goers will do a double-take at this year's Fourth of July weekend bash.

The Naperville Exchange Club's annual fest is expanding its food, music and carnival over both the north and south sides of Knoch Park.

Festivities will be in full swing from noon to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at the park, 724 S. West St.

"We're hoping for nice cool weather, a summer breeze and four days of family fun," spokesman Ray Kinney said.

Ticket prices have gone up this year to $9 in advance at the Naperville Park District and select Jewel grocery store locations, or $12 at the gate. Kids 11 and younger are free.

Proceeds go toward combating child abuse. Last year's celebration raised $773,000. Of that, $550,000 went to nonprofit groups through grants and $110,000 went to Project HELP, the club's own program that provides parent mentoring services.

The new layout at Ribfest means the event can hold nearly 60,000 people at a time - about 20,000 more than last year.

Sixteen rib vendors will be on hand. Ribbers such as Porky 'N' Beans, Butch's BBQ, Sweet Baby Ray's and Uncle Bub's will not only be feeding the masses but also competing to impress a panel of judges.

For those hoping to become better cooks themselves, Southern Living BBQ will be performing food demonstrations throughout the weekend.

The new Ribfest layout means both stages will have big-name acts this year.

"With the additional footprint, we haven't necessarily increased the size of the stages but we increased the dollars we spent on acts we put there," Kinney said.

The lineup of pop, rock and country acts includes John Kay and Steppenwolf, Eric Burdon and the Animals, Los Lonely Boys, Jonny Lang, The Charlie Daniels Band, LeAnn Rimes, Sammy Hagar, Sister Hazel, Tonic, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat and Julianne Hough.

For the biggest music fans, a party deck will be available again this year. The $100 admission includes a spot on the elevated deck, barbecue and snacks, dedicated restrooms, guaranteed admission and beer, wine and soda from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

"We felt it was neat for people who are truly music buffs - to get up close and personal," Kinney said.

Families at the fest also will find an expanded carnival area. Family Fun Days will go from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. For $10 a person, visitors can access unlimited carnival rides and deals on food.

The Navistar Family Area will include a circus, inflatables, magic show, Euro Bungee, climbing walls, a petting zoo and more.

"It's much easier for families to navigate, and the family area is an incredible place to be in the afternoon because it's full of families having a great time," Kinney said.

Ribfest will end with a bang this year. Fourth of July fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Anyone hoping to watch them from Knoch Park can enter Ribfest free after 7:30 p.m. that day.

Five free shuttle buses will take fest-goers from off-site locations to Knoch Park each day and 12 additional shuttles will be available Sunday.

For shuttle information, a map of the park layout and more, visit ribfest.net.

Naperville Ribfest schedule Ribfest runs from noon to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, July 4, at Knoch Park, 724 S. West St., Naperville. Sponsored by Naperville Exchange Club. Tickets are $12 at the gate or $9 if purchased in advance at area Jewel grocery stores. Children 11 and younger are free. Info: www.ribfest.net.THURSDAY Noon to 8 p.m. Inflatables, jousting, mechanical bull riding, big slide, Euro Bungee, petting zoo, hands-on tentNoon to 3 p.m. Balloon Twister in hands-on tent12:30, 2:30, 4:30 p.m. Circus12:30 to 1 p.m. Battle of the Bands winner on Miller Lite stage12:30 to 1 p.m. My Dog Dick on U.S. Cellular stage1:30, 3:30, 5:30 p.m. Kid Bucks1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The Waterdawgs on Miller Lite stage2 to 3 p.m. The Gurus of Blues on U.S. Cellular stage3 to 4:30 p.m. Mr. Blotto on Miller Lite stage3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Steepwater Band on U.S. Cellular stage4 to 5 p.m. The School of Performing Arts Dance Ensemble5 to 6 p.m. West Side Winders on Miller Lite stage5 to 6 p.m. Nick Moss and the Flip Tops on U.S. Cellular stage6:30 to 8 p.m. Heartsfield on Miller Lite stage6:30 to 8 p.m. Los Lonely Boys on U.S. Cellular stage8:30 to 10 p.m. The Charlie Daniels Band on Miller Lite stage8:30 to 10 p.m. Jonny Lang on U.S. Cellular stageFRIDAYNoon to 8 p.m. Inflatables, jousting, mechanical bull riding, big slide, Euro Bungee, petting zoo, hands-on tentNoon to 3 p.m. Balloon Twister in hands on tent12:30, 2:30, 4:30 p.m. Circus12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Bucko5 on Miller Lite stage12:30 to 1:30 p.m. No Show Joe on U.S. Cellular stage1:30, 3:30, 5:30 p.m. 3 Sheer Magic Show1:45 to 2:30 p.m. Vicious Cykle on Miller Lite stage2 to 3 p.m. The Bad Dads on U.S. Cellular stage3 to 4 p.m. Mass Chemistry on Miller Lite stage3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Paul Avers Band on U.S. Cellular stage4 to 5 p.m. Naperville Concert Dance Ensemble4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Junkyard Groove on Miller Lite stage5 to 6 p.m. The Real Gone on U.S. Cellular stage6 to 7:15 p.m. The Virginia Gentlemen on Miller Lite stage6:30 to 8 p.m. Jason Michael Carroll on U.S. Cellular stage8 to 10 p.m. Sammy Hagar on Miller Lite stage8:30 to 10 p.m. Julianne Hough on U.S. Cellular stageSATURDAYNoon to 8 p.m. Inflatables, jousting, mechanical bull riding, big slide, Euro Bungee, petting zoo, hands-on tentNoon to 3 p.m. Bulls/Sox Training AcademyNoon to 3 p.m. Balloon Twister in hands on tent12:30, 2:30, 4:30 p.m. Circus12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Black Cat Bone on U.S. Cellular stage12:30 to 1:30 p.m. JoBu on Miller Lite stage1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Children's music with Dave Rudolf2 to 3 p.m. Paradise Waits on Miller Lite stage2 to 3 p.m. Gallery on U.S. Cellular stage3:30, 5:30, 7 p.m. 3 Sheer Magic Show3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Kool Kat Daddy on Miller Lite stage3:30 to 4:30 p.m. One More Time on U.S. Cellular stage4 to 5 p.m. ScribbleSingers kids dance and singalong5 to 6 p.m. Janesville on U.S. Cellular stage5 to 6:15 p.m. Dirty Dan and the Boyzz on Miller Lite stage6:30 to 8 p.m. 7th Heaven on U.S. Cellular stage7 to 8:15 p.m. John Kay and Steppenwolf on Miller Lite stage8:30 to 10 p.m. LeAnn Rimes on U.S. Cellular stage8:45 to 10 p.m. Eric Burdon and the Animals on Miller Lite stageSUNDAYNoon to 8 p.m. Inflatables, jousting, mechanical bull riding, big slide, Euro Bungee, petting zoo, hands-on tentNoon to 3 p.m. Balloon Twister in hands on tent12:30, 2:30, 4:30 p.m. Circus12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Admiral of Black on Miller Lite stage12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Vintage on U.S. Cellular stage1:30, 3:30, 5:30 p.m. Kid Bucks2 to 3:15 p.m. Painkiller Hotel on Miller Lite stage2 to 3:30 p.m. The Dirty Rooks on U.S. Cellular stage4 to 5:30 p.m. Tonic on Miller Lite stage4 to 5:30 p.m. Foghat on U.S. Cellular stage6 to 7:30 p.m. Sister Hazel on Miller Lite stage6 to 7:30 p.m. Blue Oyster Cult on U.S. Cellular stage8 to 9 p.m. The Giving Tree Band on Miller Lite stage8 to 9 p.m. Limited Edition Big Band on U.S. Cellular stage9:30 to 10 p.m. FireworksTrue20001780Sixteen rib vendors will be on hand at Naperville's Ribfest this weekend competing for best ribs and sauce.Paul Michna | Staff Photographer, 2004True <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=390815">Area chefs cook up some competition for Naperville Ribfest<span class="date">[06/30/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=391080">Los Lonely Boys to return to Naperville Ribfest<span class="date">[06/30/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=390830">Local band sparks national interest with reggae-rock feel<span class="date">[06/30/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=390817">Grammy winner Charlie Daniels set to open Naperville Ribfest<span class="date">[06/30/10]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div>