Above / The Family Area, located in the South Park, will offer a variety of free attractions just for kids from 12-8PM every day at 2015 Ribfest. (2014 PN File Photo)
The 28th Annual Exchange Club of Naperville Ribfest runs noon to 10PM, July 2-5, in Knoch Park, located along West Street in Naperville. Nearly 200,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event and weather forecasts look promising. Festival goers are encouraged to plan ahead and celebrate safely as they embrace the theme “4 Days, 2 Stages. Endless Music.”
For online tickets and the official website, visit www.ribfest.net.
Large maps showing the locations of all the activities will be prominent throughout Knoch Park.
And be prepared! The little yellow Minions of movie fame have staked claim to the Ribfest landscape among the dedicated volunteers and festival workers. The single-celled organisms that also live with the spirit of service likely will be a wanted prize when kids try their hands at games of chance in the Carnival Area near Ribber Row and One Main Financial Stage in the South Park.
Note also that from noon to 3PM daily, a special Family Rate Carnival Mega Pass is available for $10 per person.
Simply put
A dozen rib vendors will be selling ribs in Ribber Row located in the south portion of the park. Many also offer pulled pork and other BBQ specialties with all the fixins.
The Family Area Attractions will be open noon to 8PM every day.
Family Fun Time is noon to 3PM daily. Admission is $10 for adults and children 12 and older with unlimited carnival rides. During Family Fun Time, pulled pork sandwiches will be $5.
A Bags Tournament will be featured 1:30-4:30PM Friday and Saturday.
Nearly 100 Expo Booths will provide enlightening entertainment and educational activities for all ages, hosted by a variety of vendors and Ribfest sponsors.
(We shamelessly welcome you to look for the Positively Naperville Expo Booth in a new location this year, set up along Martin Ave.) Stop by to say hello, play our Wiffle Ball Game and win silly prizes. And perhaps play for a chance to win the all-new Cock Robin t-shirt, just off the presses at Colorburst Screen Printing.)
With a dozen choices of especially selected ribbers situated by the Carnival and the Ribber Row Stage, the south portion of Knoch Park also will become a showcase of sizzling fun at Ribfest 2015.
And, of course, the Naperville Noon Lions Club returns to offer funnel cakes, also in the South Park.
Up in the north portion of Knoch Park, the Main Stage Lineup rocks from 12:30PM to 10PM on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Or as some folks have been singing the praises of Exchange Club’s biggest fundraiser, it’s four days of endless music on two big stages, with a big thanks to Navistar and One Main Financial Bank.
A Food Court featuring Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, pizza and a selection of frozen treats will be set up across from the Napleton’s Valley Hyundai VIP Sponsor Tent.
For many related Ribfest stories, visit PN’s Ribfest Page.
Music Lineup
July 2 / Let Ribfest Begin!
12:30 One Main Financial Stage / Naperville School of Rock
2:00 Navistar Main Stage / Stephen Neal
2:oo One Main Financial Stage / Hot Hot Robot
3:30 Navistar Main Stage / M&R Rush
3:30 One Main Financial Stage / Replica
5:00 Navistar Main Stage / ARRA
6:00 One Main Financial Stage / One More Time (OMT)
6:30 Navistar Main Stage / Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown
6:30 One Main Financial Stage / The Who’s Who
8:30 One Main Financial Stage / Deacon Blues
8:30 Navistar Main Stage / Paul Rogers of Bad Company
July 3
1:00 One Main Financial Stage / Within Four Days
2:00 Navistar Main Stage / Daniel Wade
3:00 One Main Financial Stage / Mariachi Michoacan
3:30 Navistar Main Stage / CJ Stanley Band
4:30 One Main Financial Stage / Dezafinado 7
5:00 Navistar Main Stage / 7th Heaven
6:30 One Main Financial Stage / Rio Bamba
6:30 Navistar Main Stage / Dan Peters
8:30 One Main Financial Main Stage / Cecy Santana Band
8:30 Navistar Stage / Sammy Hager
July 4 / Independence Day
12:30 Navistar Main Stage / Mason Rivers
12:0 One Main Financial Stage / Battle of the Bands Winner TBA
1:30 One Main Financial Stage / Next Position Pleaze
2:00 One Main Financial Stage / Live Wire
3:00 One Main Financial Stage / Super Happy Fun Club
4:30 One Main Financial Stage / Junkyard Grove
4:00 Navistar Main Stage / Kristen Bush
6:00 One Main Financial Stage / 3AM-Matchbox 20 Tribute Band
6:00 Navistar Main Stage / Kelly Picker
8:00 One Main Financial Stage / Lil Red & “The Howlin Wolves”
8:00 Navistar Main Stage / Tres Moustache
9:30 Spectacular Fireworks
July 5
1:00 One Main Financial Stage / Blues Heart
2:00 Navistar Main Stage / Thirsty Boots Band
2:30 One Main Financial Stage / Black Cat Bone
3:30 Navistar Main Stage / Derringer and Rye
4:00 One Main Financial Stage / Joanna Connor
5:00 Navistar Main Stage / Billy Croft
5:30 One Main Financial Stage / Mike Wheeler
6:30 Navistar Main Stage / Logan Mize
7:15 One Main Financial Stage / Toronzo Cannon
8:30 Navistar Main Stage / The Band Perry
Shuttle on over to Ribfest
During the four-day Ribfest, shuttles will depart from remote parking locations every 15 minutes beginning at 11:30AM and ending promptly at 10:30PM daily. A little planning and patience will make using the free shuttle service a pleasure.
Follow signs to FREE parking at North Central College (Brainard at Highland), Burlington Commuter Parking Lot (Fifth Ave. at Washington), Neuqua Valley HS (95th & Skylane), Cowlishaw Elementary (1212 Sanctuary Lane off Rickert or off Ft. Hill), and Naperville North HS (899 Mill St.).
Accessible service is available only from All Saints, located 1155 Aurora Ave.
Note that parking in private lots near Knoch Park can vary from $15 to $20 per vehicle.
For the enjoyment of everyone
Be prepared! Bring valid ID with proof of age 21 in order to purchase wine or beer. Adults must receive a band at the ID station prior to any wine or beer purchase.
Remember that no pets are allowed at Ribfest.
Outside coolers and glass containers are not permitted into Ribfest. No outside food or beverages (with the exception of factory sealed water bottles or baby formula) can be brought inside the park.
Bring blankets or collapsible chairs for sitting to enjoy the concerts in the open park setting.
With little shade in spacious Knoch Park, it’s a good idea to bring sun block protection, wear a hat and dress casually and comfortably. Limited tent areas are available for cover.
Exchange Club of Naperville
Chartered in 1987, the Exchange Club of Naperville aims to help eliminate child abuse and domestic violence in this community and beyond. The 150-member service club also promotes Americanism and community volunteerism.
Thanks to the success of the first 27 years of Ribfest (28 festivals), the Exchange Club of Naperville has donated more than $14 million to roughly 50 community organizations who strive to eliminate domestic violence. Today’s event requires roughly 4,000 volunteers in addition to dedicated Exchange Club members. Many Exchangites who continue to volunteer at 2015 Ribfest have served as past chairmen and on the Ribfest Steering Committee.
Whenever you ask the volunteers why Ribfest fundraising is so important, they’ll say, “It’s about kids!”
For more info about joining the club’s mission via membership, visit www.exchangeclub.org.
