$300 for the Ribfest VIP treatment

Judy Patterson is getting her groove on.

She just showed up at Naperville's Ribfest an hour ago and was escorted to her front row seats on a riser at the Miller Lite Main Stage.

"It's like having my own private dance floor," Patterson said.

For the past 20 years, in order to get seating in front of the main stage Ribfest visitors had to be in line when Knoch Park opened. But now the Naperville Exchange Club is offering up to 100 premium seats stageside for all four headlining shows for $300. About 50 have been sold, said Ribfest Chairman Don Emery.

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"We're always looking to add revenue opportunities," he said. "This was something like what we did with the skyboxes and picnic areas. But it's just an experiment this year."

The access to premium seating was originally offered to sponsors. But anyone interested in the seats for the rest of the festival can check availability at the ticket booths at the south entrance along Martin Avenue, Emery said.

"We had the idea that one of the things that people really like is to be really close," Emery said. "But they may not have the time to set up early and wait out the rest of the day."

Patterson, who was one of the first to show up in the area opening day, said the new seats are convenient.

"At my age it's hard to get all the way down and sit on the grass," the Boston resident said.

The seats are arranged on an open-air platform to the east of the main stage. And while no food is provided at the seats, an area is set aside behind the stage for water, soda and beer.

"These seats are for the music," Emery said. "We just have the basics there for the people in the seats, but you're right there at the sound, if you like that."

Emery expected about half the premium seats to be filled for the Ted Nugent concert Thursday. REO Speedwagon performs today, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts headline Saturday and country star Trace Adkins is the headliner Sunday.