It’s summertime… the temperatures are peaking and the sun is shining upon the crisp blue canvas above.  Festival season is in full swing and if you’re planning to remain within the Chicago city limits this 4th of July weekend, you are going to miss one of the biggest and best summer festivals in the midwest.

What do you get when you mix a gigantic main music stage full of nationally known acts with a second music stage of equally respectful size also filled with known acts along with 17 nationally acclaimed rib vendors from all over the country, complete festival food fare, a midway, an extensive family activity area, huge fireworks and, of course, lots of ice cold draft beer? 

The answer is Naperville’s perennial Ribfest (July 3 - 6, 2008) 

The 4th of July holiday is upon us and in the six years I’ve lived in Naperville, I’ve only missed Ribfest once.  The first time I visited I was blown away by the sheer scope and now the annual event is something I begin to look forward to shortly after the gates close on the final day of the previous year’s Ribfest.

Barbeque has been religion in my own family for years as my father built his Barbeque Pit restaurant when I was a child growing up in Elizabethtown, KY.  Two years ago, I took great pride in the fact the Ribfest champion was Texas Outlaw from none other than my hometown of E-town. 

Regardless of your taste in music or food, Ribfest is for you and your family.  On the entertainment front, musical acts this year include Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, Joan Jett, Trace Adkins and, yes, Foghat.

Perhaps the best part is the fact the Naperville Exchange Club, who presents Ribfest, donates all proceeds toward the elimination of child abuse and domestic violence.  We’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. 

Make a point to get out to Naperville this weekend for Ribfest and I promise you won’t be disappointed.  Here are a couple of insider tips for your Ribfest Experience:

1)  Pay the $10 to park in the special charity parking lot behind Naperville Central High School. 

2)  Bring friends and loved ones, purchase multiple rib samplers and share… try as you might, you will never make it through all 17 vendors.

3)  Get there at opening time, beat the food lines and bring lawn chairs, blankets and umbrellas to set up shop in the middle of the circle of rib stands.

4)  If you are planning to attend the Main Stage concerts, set up your chairs up near the Main Stage area early.  Two years ago, the gates closed after 50,000 filled Ribfest for REO Speedwagon.

5)  Just remember, you can get funnel cakes and elephant ears at any festival but you can only sample ribs from all over the country at Ribfest.

6)  Did I mention to pace yourself?  You can go from zero-to-miserable in no time at all if you pack it in fast.

7)  Buy the large fresh squeezed lemonade.  It will keep you hydrated and you’ll want to go back multiple times to take advantage of inexpensive refills.

8)  Bring the whole family as Ribfest is as much for kids as it is for adults for the volume of activities.

9)  If you are only planning to arrive for only the evening Main Stage concerts, plan to arrive at least 3 hours early.

10)  Make a whole day of it as Downtown Naperville is a short walk away from Ribfest.    

Related Post(s)

• No Related Post