Ribfest Nostalgia
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Naperville Nostalgia highlights the first 21 Ribfests
What is the Exchange Club and why are its members so dedicated to Ribfest?
First, Exchange Club of Naperville, founded in 1987 with its initial 50 members, is a member of a national service organization for men and women who want to serve their community, develop leadership skills, and enjoy new friendships.
Second, today the club has grown to approximately 160 members who continue to come together in order to eliminate child abuse in all forms, to foster the health and growth of a strong family unit, to promote Americanism, to strengthen education for children and to give service to their community. One way to achieve their mission has been to raise millions in private dollars.
Back when the club was organizing in 1987, an idea for a rib festival surfaced among Park District officials. Glen Ekey was the Executive Director of the Naperville Park District. Over on the City Council, Margaret “Peg” Price was Mayor. At the time, the Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling held on Labor Day Weekend was the city’s only major festival, in place since the mid-1960s.
“The Park District had been looking for a service organization to help sponsor a summer festival featuring a competition of barbecue rib vendors,” said Ekey in an interview back in 2002 for a Ribfest story in the July issue of Positively Naperville.
Ekey had learned about barbecue competitions from a ribber named Billy Bones while visiting Midland, Michigan. The newly formed Exchange Club seemed like the natural choice in a service club, so Ekey sought to create the cooperative team that also included the City of Naperville.
Long story short, the Exchange Club partnered with the Park District and the City, and the rest is history.
How do 21 past chairmen of Ribfest remember the event in 2008?
2008 Ribfest Chairman Don Emery wrote to his fellow past chairmen, “Positively Naperville is putting together a Ribfest retrospective based on the chairs that have run the event over 21 years. … PN has asked that each of us ‘write a fun and/or memorable fact (50-100 words) about your year as chairman.’ Thanks, Don.”
Next thing Jan Erickson provided a list of Ribfest Chairmen, including news that Dave Harrington will be chairman of Ribfest 2009, followed by Julie Lichter in 2010, recognizing the dedication to plan ahead for such a gargantuan fundraising event.
Exchange Club Ribfest Chairmen / Past, Present, Future
1988 – George Brewer
1989 – George Brewer
1990 – Michael Maher
1991 – Bruce Erickson*
1992 – Pat Burley*
1993 – Bill West
1994 – John Krajnovich*
1995 – Janette Erickson*
1996 – Cheryle Mitchell
1997 – Paul Lankenau
1998 – Christine Tomczak*
1999 – Annmarie Siwik*
2000 – Fred Korb
2001 – Denise Anderson
2002 – Michael Maher
2003 – Paul Lankenau
2004 – Pat Berthold
2005 – Kay Miller*
2006 – Anna Zimmerman*
2007 – Rick Grimes*
2008 – Don Emery*
2009 – Dave Harrington
2010 – Julie Lichter
*PN heard from the majority of past chairman who led the popular rib and music festival, an event that has grown to attract hundreds of sponsors and more than 225,000 patrons annually. Tallying receipts can take several months. Allocation of gifts and grants are typically presented within five or six months. In 2007, the Exchange Club gave $800,000 back to 40 nonprofit organizations in the community.
What did PN discover from their remembrances?
Naperville Exchange Club members George Brewer, Mike Maher and Paul Lankenau also are distinguished as three club members who served twice as Ribfest Chairman.
Did you know Ribfest started on Father’s Day weekend 1988 at Rotary Hill?
“We partnered with a group of ribbers who called themselves Rib America and held the event on Rotary Hill. They fronted the start up money, showed us how to do a "cook off," and pocketed most of the profit,” wrote Bruce Erickson, Founding Member, Exchange Club of Naperville.
“The next year, we thought we had learned enough (and were naive enough) to do it ourselves (well almost). We moved the date of the event from Father's Day weekend to the Fourth of July weekend. We moved the location to Knoch Park and we partnered with the Naperville Park District which provided us with a Co-Chair for the event, Duane Hosimer. Duane held this position for ten years and was a major force in making Ribfest what it is today,” added Erickson.
Here’s the rest of the story, unedited, in the words of Ribfest Chairman. PN appreciated their stories in the spirit of Exchange Club.
Ribfest 1991 / by Chairman Bruce R. Erickson
I was the Exchange Club chairman for Ribfest in 1991. The challenge that year was to fashion the event around a Fourth of July that fell on a Wednesday. Without much of a thought (still naive) we started on Friday, June 29 and ended on July 4...six days! We almost killed half the club.
Luckily, because of a well-placed leap year, we have gone 16 years before being faced with another July 4 on a Wednesday, last year. This time we were older and wiser and only went for five days, leaving the Friday off the schedule.
Ribfest 1992 / by Chairman Patrick J. Burley
Ribfest 1992 started with a pre-event party for volunteers that included members from the band, Kansas. Great time was had by everyone with a lot of excitement about the opening on July 2.
The Executive Committee was scheduled to meet at 1:30 to review final details for the Thursday night opening. All of us were excited as our Sponsorship sales effort had increased to a new level and it provided a number of colorful cold air balloons on the grounds to recognize the Sponsors. “As we stood behind the Park District barn, a severe thunderstorm, with very high winds, swept across the area. In an effort to save all of the balloons, the members of the Executive Committee attempted to hold the balloons down, but each of us was dragged across the park.
This quick-hitting storm caused damage to a number of our Rib vendor stands, our concession tents and the sponsors’ balloons. This damage caused us to cancel the evening events and Ribfest experienced its first closure due to weather. Our volunteers worked into the night to get things back in order for the opening the next day and Ribfest 1992 turned into a tremendous success. Ribfest 1992 exceeded all revenue goals and the Exchange Club was able to fund our partners to help eliminate child abuse in all forms at the highest level.
On the lighter side, the Naperville Police had to request the Ribfest Chairman and the Immediate Past President of the Exchange Club to discontinue using the "big" slide at 2:00 A.M.!! They were not amused with all of the fun we were having!
Ribfest 1994 / by Chairman John Krajnovich
I have a great story about my year, I was president-elect in 1994 and Pat Burley was president.
I figured because being president-elect it was going to be a pretty easy year for me so I decided to go for it, and about 1 month into the year Pat gets a call and he is taking on a new job in another state and will be moving in a few weeks. Now my easy year of just running Ribfest has turned into a very crazy year of being president and chairman of the event...
But to no surprise the Exchange club kicked into gear and came threw with flying colors!!!!
Thanks to the Ribfest board and Exchange steering committee, we were able to get the event off with no problems and was a great year as all of the Ribfests have been thanks to some many awesome people that give time and effort by volunteering for the Exchange club of Naperville that is about giving back a little of ourselves for the hope that it will help our community.
..
Ribfest 1995 / by Chairman Jan Erickson
I've been trying to muster some kind of fabulous memory of my year as chairman and I'm not coming up with anything in particular; just some random thoughts. Here goes...
In those days we partnered with the Park District, so from year to year Duane Hosimer was the "constant" as he would always be the Park District co-chair. I was grateful for his experience and guidance. I remember feeling a lot of apprehension prior to the event due to the responsibility of hosting such a large group of people. I prayed a LOT!
I also remember being concerned about the weather. There were thunderstorms predicted for the weekend and all I could imagine was a 5-day down pour. As it turned out we had almost no rain. It was the most amazing thing actually... In those days we certainly didn't have www.weather.com and a "regular" person didn't have access to weather radar. There was a "weather" truck that we would get for the event so we could keep track of what was to the west of us. I remember we would be watching a storm gathering between here and the Iowa border. It would gather strength and get to about Aurora and either go north or south or.. just peter out. I really felt like we were on God's radar, so to speak; like he was really on our side and sheltering our event so we could be successful.
I also remember feeling a sense of awe that I was actually a part of making this event a reality; that the decisions we had made and all the meetings that we had held were worth every minute. We were providing the community with what was to become a great annual tradition while raising funds for people who were desperately in need. Watching it all unfold as planned makes you feel like you've really help accomplish something important. I guess that's the kernel of it.
Ribfest 1998 / by Chairman Christine M. Tomczak
I chaired Ribfest in 1998 and it was a memorable year for two reasons!
In 1998 we debut the air conditioned flush porta potties that premiered in the Sponsor Tent Area. It was a great hit and we’ve brought them back every year after for the sponsor tent patrons.
Also, we were not lucky enough to have a rain-free Ribfest in 1998 but the true spirit of teamwork and camaraderie showed through. This Ribfest brought us a torrential rain out of the main stage show on Friday, July 3, just as Pat Benetar was ready to perform. The skies opened up and the park was cleared out as fast as the rain was falling and it was still raining at midnight when the steering committee decided we should go home and tackle the clean up in the morning.
So shortly after sunrise a small army of Exchange Club members worked feverishly to pick up tons of uneaten ribs and other food left by soaked patrons. We all pulled together and never have the teamwork and camaraderie shown so brightly as when we made it to open the park on time that day. Also, we got a commitment from Pat Benetar that she would come back to perform for free the next year to give us the concert she was never able to do.
Ribfest 1999 / by Chairman Annmarie Siwik
We upped the vendor pricing for the rib vendors and they were not happy. It took a lot of my time to work them through it.
I suggested the nice, air-conditioned bathrooms in the sponsors’ tent area. Many of the “guys” thought it was silly and argued with me that people did not really care about nicer bathrooms. I guess they were wrong as our sponsors loved the nicer bathrooms. In fact, I think we could definitely use more.
I suggested having a “big screen.” The production company we hired did not have it working the first day and some large sponsors were not happy. In addition, it was not good quality. Although, it was apparent the big screen was something we definitely needed. We have since spent the additional money for better quality and now work with a different production company which made all the difference. I still cringe when I think about the large sponsor who had all his VPs there to see the wonderful ad on the screen to find it did not work and his ads were not shown. Not a good moment!
Rick Springfield was one the entertainers (along with KC and Sunshine Band, Kook and Gang and Pat Benatar). At that time, we did not have fencing around the stage like we do now. Rick Springfield decided to take it upon himself to jump off the stage into the crowd. Of course, security went crazy as all these screaming girls rushed the poor guy.
Finally, it was between 100-105 degrees and people were dropping like flies. We really thought people would just not come but they did and the fire department did a wonderful job of taking care of all those who suffered from the heat. The good news is that Pat Benatar had come to Ribfest a few other times and was always rained out. This year, she was able to perform. There was no rain, just extreme heat!
Ribfest 2005 / by Chairman Kay Miller
Being Chairman of Ribfest 2005 was a rewarding experience and many people helped make it successful. But being involved in the Logistics of turning Knoch Park into Ribfest will always be my favorite memory!
What a great challenge to manage a huge outdoor festival that takes a year to plan, culminating with a three-week period to set up a small city, making sure it is 100% operational throughout the event, and then returning the site to its original form.
How great is that!
Ribfest 2006 / by Chairman Anna Zimmerman
Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of my four-day festival. I had a full house on my first day with REO Speedwagon in which it was the third time we had a sell-out crowd. Other performances that we had on the Main Stage that year were Sister Hazel, The Doobie Brothers and Charlie Daniels Band.
On the Brian R. Schultz Stage we had our best kept secret with The Bottle Rockets that attracted about 200 people. Other performances included Elvin Bishop, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Foghat.
One of the must-have Ribfest items was the stainless steel Gold Rush Soda Co., 32-ounce cup. The best new attraction was the Euro Bungee in the family area.
When looking back on my year, the weather was my only big challenge during the first three days and the final day being the most spectacular for the 4th of July.
Ribfest is in my blood. As long as it’s around, I will always be there to help along with all my newly found friends that are my second family. I just couldn’t live without them.
Ribfest 2007 / by Chairman Rick Grimes, Exchange Club President 2005-2006
I equate Ribfest to a heavyweight boxing match. You spend the first 14 rounds (11 months) setting up for a 15th round knockout. Today Ribfest Chairs can boast a perfect 20-0 record!
Near the end of my Chairmanship last year my feelings included many emotions.
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Sadness: this was the culmination of a long Ribfest career and it was almost over.
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Relief: the burden of responsibility for the event (that I had tried to ignore) was lifted and I didn't realize its weight until it was gone.
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Satisfaction: a mission accomplished, a job well done, for the Club, our Community and our Cause.
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Pride: the accomplishments of my entire team.
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Elation: indescribable except to those who've chaired before.
Ribfest Chairs do it for those who went before, those to come and for those in need.
Ribfest 2008 / by Chairman Don Emery
Here are my favorite parts of Ribfest:
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My wife (Rae) and children (Nate, Pete and Alyson) have worked the event with me for more than 10 years now. Nate flies in from California to run Merchandise and Rae runs the Skyboxes. I am so proud of them.
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A hand full of colleagues that work hard or harder than I do, community members that step up (3,700 volunteers) and every time I turn around someone surprises and delights me with their ideas and contributions.
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After 12 month’s work, the night before we open the park up for Ribfest, the lights are on and it is so quiety as the day ends. It’s a beautiful place.
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Standing in the Skybox, looking at the Main Stage with a full park enjoying the festivities.
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Somehow, in spite of everything this event happens and it gets a little better every year. In the end, a first-class, 4-day festival, $1.5 million in sponsorship and we can give away all of the proceeds to agencies that work to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence. It makes it all worthwhile.
Traditions of Ribfest
Exchange Club Membership Pre-Party the night before opening
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Ribfest Shirt-of-the-Year Fashion Show to reveal its new membership shirts.
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Rib judging where vendors vy in a competition for serving the Best Ribs and Best Sauce according to the Kansas City BBQ Society evaluation process to judge the top three ribs and Sauce. Judges include Ribfest Chair, Mayor of Naperville, police & firefighter of the year, and some of Ribfest largest sponsors such as Pepsi, Miller/Euclid Beverage, Viant, Exelon, First National Bank of Naperville in 2008.
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Ribfest provides a Main Stage and Brian R. Schultz Stage for nationally-known musicians to perform memorable concerts.
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Ribfest provides hundreds of sponsorship opportunities (with sponsor-designated areas and skyboxes) that go toward support of the Exchange Club mission to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence.
All proceeds from Ribfest go toward support of the Exchange Club mission to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence.
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During the first 20 years, the Exchange Club donated $8.8 million dollars to nonprofit organizations.
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Since 2003, thanks to a unique partnership with the Riverwalk Foundation, Exchange Club members have been selling bricks at Ribfest and throughout the year to help fund the Exchange Club Memories Fountain in Fredenhagen Park.
2007 Ribfest is recognized as 'National Outstanding Fundraiser'
The National Exchange Club informed the Exchange Club of Naperville that the 2007 Ribfest has been named the National Outstanding Fundraiser in the category for clubs with 50 or more members.
The Naperville service club will be presented the award banner at this year's National Convention in St. Louis.
"Congratulations go to 2007 Ribfest Chair Rick Grimes, the Ribfest Steering Committee, our members, and all the community volunteers who made last July's Ribfest such a great success. Special thanks also go to Emy Trotz, who assembled and submitted the application for this prestigious award," said Scot Warren, Immediate Past President. "Let's have another great Ribfest this year!"
Ribfest 2008 released via weekly Naperville City Notes
RIBFEST 2008.
The annual Exchange Club event kicks off on Thursday, July 3 and lasts until Sunday, July 6. From noon to 10PM each day visitors can taste the offerings of 17 world-class rib vendors, as well as dozens of other menu items, in addition to music, a carnival and Fourth of July fireworks at dusk. The entrance fee at the gate is $10 for adults; children 11 and younger are free. All proceeds go to the Exchange Club, which works to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence. For more information, call (630) 548-5205.
E-mail broadcast to Exchange Club Membership / June 26, 2008
Well, we are officially in the home stretch on Ribfest! We took the park today and there is much to do in the next week before the park opens.
If you get a chance over the weekend come and help out for a few minutes or a few hours. We can use all the help we can get setting up the park. There are projects of every size so don't worry about whether you can help! As I have demonstrated previously no experience necessary! We will be unloading trailers, dropping hoses, garbage cans, sorting signs, setting up tables and chairs and maybe even some fun & easy jobs as well.
Check in with your committee chairs or steering liaisons to see if they need help. If you have not signed up for at least 2 shifts you can still call Kelli Perardi or drop her a note.
Join us on Wednesday night at 5:30 pm for our annual pre party at the central dining tent. Catered food and beverages as well as an opportunity to purchase last minute sponsor tickets, pick up Exchange Club shirts and tell a few stories about the last 21 years of Ribfest.
Thanks to everyone that has worked hard so far and let's finish the job and make the 21st Ribfest the best ever for our community, the agencies we support and the Exchange Club of Naperville!
Thanks to thousands of volunteers who stepped up for Ribfest 2008
Under the leadership of Exchangite Don Emery, Ribfest 2008 Chairman, took over Knoch Park on June 26 to get the park ready to open on July 3.
Exchange Club members volunteered over the next week to set up Knock Park for the 21st annual Ribfest that ran July 3-6. Fireworks were at dusk on July 4.
"I'd love to thank all the fantastic volunteers that have stepped up so far to work shifts during the event," said Exchange Club member Kelli Perardi, Manpower Chairman for Ribfest 2008. "We have about 3,500 volunteers...can you believe it? Yet we still need about 100 more."
By the end of the four-day event, blessed with glorious sunshine, nearly 3,700 volunteers filled the following six-hour shifts: 4-10PM, July 4; 11AM-5PM or 2-7PM or 4-10PM, July 5; and 11AM-5PM or 4-10PM, July 6.
"Thanks to everyone that has worked hard so far," said Emery. “Let's finish the job and make the 21st Ribfest the best ever for our community, the agencies we support and the Exchange Club of Naperville!"
Exchange Club Ribfest 2008 ran from July 3-6
Exchange Club Ribfest 2008 Chairman Don Emery and his team of nearly 3,700 volunteers were prepared for four fun-filled days of the 21st annual musical festival held in conjunction with Independence Day.
The Web site, www.ribfest.net, provided all the latest activities for children, families, rib tasters and music lovers from the Main Stage to the Brian R. Schultz Rock & Roll Stage.
The four-day event kicked off at noon Thursday, July 3, and ran through July 6. Hours for all four days were noon to 10PM.
Following the 2007 five-day event that raised $800,000 for 40 nonprofit organizations with a mission to help fight domestic violence and child abuse, early predictions from the success of selling $1.5 million in sponsorships were that the four-day event exceeded all expectations.
Ribfest Best Ribs and Best Sauce Judging
One of the featured events every year is the rib judging, organized by Rib Judging Committee Chairman Mark Rice. During the two-hour judging, the Best Ribs and Best Sauce were selected among 17 rib venders, all vying for some $7,500 in prize money. It’s a strict competition, where meat and sauce are judged on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being best.
Judges have to be at their best, too.
In fact there’s even a strict Code of Conduct for all the judges.
1. I will treat other judges, officials, contestants and the general public with respect and will, by my conduct, bring honor to the Exchange Club of Naperville Ribfest and the office of Ribfest Judge.
2. I will not consume alcohol or other mind-altering substances prior to or during the judging.
3. I will judge each entry on its own merits in keeping with Ribfest standards, starting as if each entry is a 7 on all criteria.
4. I will remain silent and maintain neutral body language while I and others at my table are judging. Only after all the ballots are completed and given to the officials will I discuss the entries just judged if I or others choose to do so.
5. I will be true to my own taste and will not attempt to impose my personal preferences on the other judges.
Rice announced recently that 2008 was his “last year as chairman of the 'event within an event.' ” Rice served on the rib judging team for seven years and as chairman for five years.
He also provided a list of this year’s judges, including Mayor George Pradel, representatives of 10 major sponsors of Ribfest, Dave Savini of Channel 2 News, Dan Casey of Casey’s Fine Foods (the Prince of Pork), Ray Kinney of MinuteMan Press, Dave Kelsch of Advanced Data Technologies, Peter Schultz of the First National Bank of Naperville, Tim West of the Naperville Sun, Exchange Club National President Rob Davidson, Exchange Club Lincolnland District President Dave Wentz and many more.
A group of youngsters served as Kidz Choice judges.
For the integrity of the competition, 23 of 24 judges arrived ready to follow the rules, especially the morning after the spectacular fireworks display on July 4th and a reflective celebration of Independence Day. A last-minute judge, reporter Jake Griffin of the Daily Herald, filled the seat of a judge who couldn’t make it due to illness.
“Mmm, mmm good!” is not an acceptable comment for judges.
After tasting and examining 17 different preparations of meaty ribs and 17 different sauces, a new appreciation of judging is always communicated by the new judges.
Ribfest 2008 enjoyed glorious blue skies and judges tested tasty ribs
Crowds rocked to the music and were joyous to hear when Judging Chairman Mark Rice and organizers from the Exchange Club announced that Wood Dale's Sweet Baby Ray's store owned by Duce Raymond took the top prize in the ribs category. His sauce came in second.
After all the ballots were counted, 24 adult judges and the Kids Choice Award had honored three of the 17 competing ribbers with double recognition for both tasty ribs and sauce. Note Sweet Baby Rays, Armadillo's BBQ and Porky-N-Beans in the list below of Saturday's winners at Exchange Club Ribfest 2008.
Best ribs / First: Sweet Baby Ray's; Second: Porky-N-Beans; Third: Armadillo's
Best sauce / First: Smokin' Joe's Hog Wild Barbeque; Second: Sweet Baby Ray's; Third: Porky-N-Beans
Kid's Choice / Armadillo's
Ribfest 2009
Watch for a new and improved Ribfest 2009 at just about the same time next year!
During Ribfest 2008, Michael Maher reflected about his two years as chairman, saying also that he enjoyed it so much he’d be willing take on the leadership challenge again someday. He added that club members never sit on their laurels because there’s always room to improve the logistics and other aspects of the festival. As the event grows and develops, they always learn how to do it better the following year, Maher said. He also said many members of Exchange Club are equipped to serve the event well as chairmen.
Ribfest is held in conjunction with Independence Day.
Dave Harrington was Ribfest 2009 Chairman.
The Three Amigos; Ray Kinney, Dan Casey, and Dave Kelsch, are certified 2008 Ribfest Rib and Sauce Judges.
In 2008, 24 rib judges included Mayor George Pradel, Exchange Club Police & Firefighter of the Year, the highest bidders at charity auctions, local media and some of Ribfest largest sponsors.
During the two-hour judging, 17 rib vendors competed to be named for the Best Ribs and Best Sauce using the Kansas City BBQ Society evaluation process, recognizing the top three ribbers in each category. The rib venders competed for $7,500 in prize money.
Folks in the children's activity area celebrated the Independence Day in high style on the 4th of July.
The Brian R. Schultz Rock & Roll Stage featured headliners Big Head Todd and the Monsters, The Turtles, Foghat and the Average White Band, respectively in the evening from July 3-6.
A different style "official" Ribfest shirt is introduced every year.
Knoch Park is set up for rib vendors at Ribfest.
Folks brought chairs and blankets to enjoy ribs and listen to performances on the Ribfest Miller Lite Main Stage. Among the featured headliners in 2008 were Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Trace Adkins.
Naperville Fire Department Bagpipers provided musical entertainment.
Julie Lichter, Chairman Ribfest 2010, is pictured with Jan Erickson, Past Chairman Ribfest 1995.
Naperville celebrated its annual spectacular fireworks display at dusk on Independence Day.
Happy Independence Day, America!
Volunteers from Hobson West subdivision took over the taps in the Central Beer Tent. Here they mark the end of their six-hour shift on July 5 with Beer Captain Jerry Kochurka of the Naperville Exchange Club. In 2008, nearly 3,700 volunteers of all ages stepped up to fill a variety of jobs at Ribfest.
RIBFEST NOSTALGIA
FROM PN READERS:
Ribfest is an amazing undertaking! Kudos to all the planners and volunteers who make it happen for so many good causes.
---Stephen Jeanis
Ribfest Rib Judging went so well this year that I might be back to do it again next year. Will let you know.
---Mark Rice
22nd Annual Ribfest Opening Day
July 2, 2009
RIBFEST 2008
Though rain gear was necessary early on July 4th, the weather cooperated every other day and evening during the four-day Ribfest. As always, the fireworks on Independence Day were spectacular. Julie Lichter, right, is currently serving as 2010 Chairman for the event slated for July 2-5 in an expanded location at Knoch Park along West Street.
Ribfest 2010 Chair Julie Lichter
presents Joe Lichter's Gallery of Photos
Ribfest 2009 / by 2010 Chairman Julie Lichter
The Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Ribfest:
1. We build a small city in a week.
2. We have thousands of volunteers of all ages.
3. We invite everyone we know to come.
4. We eat (ribs, of course).
5. We enjoy music.
6. We bring families and friends together.
7. We make new friends.
8. We have fun – come rain or shine.
9. We help hundreds of people everyday with the proceeds raised to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence.
10. And finally - we get to shoot off Fireworks!!!
Thanks for the City of Naperville, Naperville Park District and thousands of volunteers who worked at Ribfest for another successful community event.
Folks talked about the best ribs.
One of the many offiicial duties of 2009 Ribfest Chairman Dave Harrington was to help judge the ribs and sauces.
One More Time hits the big screen at Ribfest!
For the first time, One More Time, a homegrown band of rockers including Bob Carroll, Dick Kuhn, Tom Schlueter and Rob Steinberger, performed as the opening group on the Main Stage for 2009 Ribfest.
Fans showed up in proper OMT attire to hear One More Time play classic hits, cover songs and original music at Knoch Park.
A lunchtime crowd enjoyed the sounds that led to other Main Stage headliners including Heart, Sara Evans, Todd Rudgren and Huey Lewis and the News.
Once again, three tables of rib judges tasted ribs and sauces from 17 rib vendors in the Ribfest Sponsors Tent.
Visitors from an Exchange Club in Texas arrived in Naperville on July 4th to take notes on how to put on a barbecue and music festival.
Before we present past Ribfests since 1987, look forward to Ribfest 2010 from July 1-4.
Opening Night Music for Ribfest 2010 features Jonny Lang and Los Lonely Boys on the South Stage and The Charlie Daniels Band on the North Stage. Stay tuned as other entertainment is announced.
Fireworks are at dusk on Sunday, July 4.
