Barbecue, bands draw crowds to Lake in the Hills' Rockin' Ribfest
An evening of sampling barbecue while listening to live music can be more than just a fun night out. Organizers of the 11th annual Lake in the Hills Rockin' Ribfest say it's a way to support local charities.
“(Ribfest is) a great local event. It gives (visitors) a chance to be part of something bigger without making a donation out of their own pockets, and they will have a great time doing it,” event Chairwoman Dot Dustin said.
Over the course of the four-day festival, which charges $5 admission, as many as 13,000-20,000 people may attend.
Last year, the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club raised about $50,000 and put it toward six scholarships for Harry D. Jacobs High School and Huntley High School students, as well as six major grants to local organizations.
“We work really hard for that $50,000,” Dustin said. “It isn't that it's all about the money for money's sake. It's all about what we can do with that money.”
The festival runs from 4:30 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7-10, at 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. It features eight national rib vendors serving up an array of meats and side dishes.
Besides ribs, non-rib vendors will provide food such as funnel cakes, popcorn, roasted nuts, cotton candy and ice cream. People can stop by the beer tent. Water and soda will also be available.
For the past four years, Rockin' Ribfest has been home to the Lip Smackin' BBQ Smack-Down Community Rib Cook-off where amateur cooks go head-to-head see who can make the best ribs. Teams check in at 10 a.m. with a meat inspection at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 10. Judging is between 5 and 6 p.m. with awards given out at 6:15 p.m.
“It was really just another component to bring people together on Sunday,” said Rotary Club member Steve Swanson, who is in charge of the cook-off. “I always heard throughout the years people saying ‘my ribs are better' (than the ones offered at the festival). Well, prove it.”
This year, about 30 teams have signed up to prove they have the best rib recipe. Team Zim Q won the past two years and will compete again this year. Joe Cicero from the radio station Star 105.5 — WZSR-FM will be one of the judges.
“As the ribs are cooking, of course you're going to hear some smack talk back and forth, but there's also a lot of camaraderie,” Swanson said. “For some of them it's the first time they've ever done anything like this. For others, maybe they've done it before at other amateur cook-offs or here.”
Car lovers can head to the festival to check out its ninth annual car show. There is no charge for admission to the show, which will take place from noon to 3 p.m. in the northwest parking lot of the park.
“People love to see them. It's a combination of going back to their childhood and seeing cars they haven't seen in years,” said Rotary Club member Jim Benages, who is in charge of the car show. “It gives younger children a chance to see the older, bigger cars. The younger kids find it really cool.”
Ten bands will perform throughout the festival, including Lava Rock at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 7, and 7th heaven at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 10.
Festival admission is free for anyone younger than 13, as well as active military members with their ID, and $5 for anyone age 13 and older. For details and a complete schedule, visit lithribfest.com.