Above / Friendly volunteers have been stationed at entrance gates, working six-hour shifts to welcome visitors to the Exchange Club of Naperville Ribfest. The four-day rib competition and summer concert series closes at 10PM July 5.
The sights, sounds and tastes for the Exchange Club of Naperville Ribfest continue today from noon to 10PM at Knoch Park. Promoters expected more than 100,000 visitors would be attracted to the four-day family-friendly event which began July 2, ending today, July 5. Large crowds have been welcomed by thousands of volunteers and those high counts are likely to be met.
Gate admission is $15 per person. Children 11 and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult.
Every day has had its share of new main attractions as well as returning traditions such as the Family Area and Carnival with rides and amusements.
With a dozen choices of selected ribbers situated by the Carnival and the One Main Financial Stage, the south portion of Knoch Park has been a showcase of sizzling fun at Ribfest 2015.
Considering the first three days of pleasant weather, Exchange Club’s biggest fundraiser is set to end after four days of endless music on two big stages, with a big thanks to Navistar and One Main Financial Bank, as well as more than one hundred sponsors.
Above / Find the Naperville Noon Lions Club in the South Park selling funnel cakes, one of the service club’s many fundraisers.
A Food Court featuring Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, pizza and a selection of frozen treats is set up across from the Napleton’s Valley Hyundai VIP Sponsor Tent, not far from the Navistar Main Stage.
For many related Ribfest stories, visit PN’s Ribfest Page.
Today July 5!
After a spectacular 30-minute fireworks display, sponsored by Meijer on Independence Day, Ribfest ends with a bang when The Band Perry steps onto the Navistar Main Stage at 8:30PM.
Meanwhile, after gates open at noon, live music will hit the stages all afternoon and early evening beginning at 1PM.
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
For those who wanted “up close and personal” views of their favorite main stage bands, the new “Front of Stage” reserved tickets have been a big draw to the Navistar Main Stage during the first three nights. Hint: Be sure to plan well in advance to purchase Front of Stage reserve tickets for 2016.
Guests also will find a schedule of many local artists appearing in the North and South areas as well as other attractions at www.ribfest.net.
Thanks, Exchange Club of Naperville and all volunteers!
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.
For the past year, the Exchange Club of Naperville has been under the leadership of President Bob Black. As is tradition, the president always passes the gavel to the following year’s president during Ribfest. Daniel DeBoo now has assumed the duties as president for a one-year term.
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.
