Kellie Pickler, Kristian Bush to play at Ribfest
July 4 at Naperville's Ribfest once again will be a country music showcase with two popular artists performing separate shows.
Kellie Pickler and Kristian Bush each will perform Saturday, July 4, at the 28th annual festival at Knoch Park in Naperville.
Organizers with the Naperville Exchange Club said they're hoping to excite a younger audience with a headlining performance by Pickler, who's known for winning "Dancing with the Stars" in 2013 and competing on "American Idol" in 2006, and a show by Bush, formerly of the country group Sugarland.
"Rather than having classic rock every day during Ribfest, we thought we'd try some popular country that seems to be drawing big crowds," said Bob Pschirrer, Ribfest chairman.
Bush is expected to perform about 4 p.m. on the festival's main stage, followed by Pickler about 6 p.m. The fest runs noon to 10 p.m. with free admission starting at 7:30 p.m. and an Independence Day fireworks show that traditionally draws large crowds at 9:30 p.m.
Pickler has released four albums, "Small Town Girl," "Kellie Pickler," "100 Proof" and "The Woman I Am," since gaining fame at age 19 as an "American Idol" contestant. Her latest, "The Woman I Am," came in 2013 on new label Black River Entertainment.
Bush performed for more than a decade beginning in 2002 with singer Jennifer Nettles as the country duo Sugarland. On April 7, he will release his first solo album, "Southern Gravity," on Streamsound Records.
Bush and Pickler will play the day before Grammy-winner The Band Perry is scheduled to perform July 5 as the finale of this year's Ribfest. Pschirrer said organizers are working to book other acts for the first two days of the festival July 2 and 3, and listeners can expect them to be classic rock.
The four-day festival will raise money for the Naperville Exchange Club, which has donated more than $14 million since 1987 to charities that work to end domestic violence and child abuse.
Tickets are $12 online at ribfest.net until June 1 and $15 at the gate.