Annual Summer Event Runs from Fri., June 29 to Tues., July 3
The City of Naperville and the Naperville Park District remind residents and interested parties of the upcoming street closures, parking restrictions, shuttle locations and accessibility plans that will be in effect throughout Ribfest, taking place Fri., June 29 to Tues., July 3.
Alert! Martin Avenue will close at West Street on Mon., June 25. Access the Barn Recreation Center, 421 W. Martin Avenue, from Washington. Also, during Ribfest, Martin Avenue will be closed from Brom Drive to West Street. On July 3, West Street will be closed from Emerald Lane to Hillside Road. Hillside will be closed from Porter Street to West Street.
There will be several road closures and no parking zones in effect for the duration of the event, as well as additional closures and restrictions on Tues., July 3. The details regarding dates, times and locations of these closures and parking restrictions can be found on color-coded maps located on the City’s website at www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx. The maps require Adobe Acrobat reader to view.
New for Ribfest 2012
Several changes are in place for the 2012 Ribfest event, including:
- This year, tickets will no longer be available for purchase at area Jewel/Osco stores. Tickets can only be purchased at the gate or online at www.ribfest.net.
- Tickets purchased this year are date specific.
- The fireworks display will be held on Tues., July 3 at 9:30PM instead of the actual Fourth of July holiday.
Remote Parking and Shuttle Locations
Visitors are encouraged to use the free public shuttles serving Ribfest. Shuttles will run to and from several remote parking locations throughout Naperville. Shuttles run continuously on Fri., June 29 from 3:30 to 10:30PM and from 11:30AM to 10:30PM on all other days of the fest. Restricted shuttle service will apply to the Naperville Metra Station – Burlington Lot. Service from this lot will run from 6 to 10:30PM on Fri., June 29; Mon., July 2; and Tues., July 3. Shuttle service will be available at this location from 11:30AM to 10:30PM on Sat., June 30 and Sun., July 1.
Additional shuttle service will be provided on Tues., July 3 at additional locations. For a list of shuttle locations and hours, visit www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx.
Edward Hospital Parking Restrictions
Edward Hospital has announced the following measures that will be in effect during Ribfest:
- There is no Ribfest event parking at Edward Hospital.
- The entrance/exit to the Edward Hospital campus from Martin Avenue will be closed from 11AM on Fri., June 29 through 11PM on Tues., July 3.
- The north entrance to the hospital campus from Washington St. will be closed from 11AM on Fri., June 29 to 11PM on Tues., July 3.
- The entrance/exit to the hospital campus from West St. will be closed from 9AM to 11PM on Tues., July 3.
- The south entrance (Osler Dr.) to the hospital campus from Washington St. will remain open throughout Ribfest for patient and ambulance traffic.
A map of Edward Hospital parking restrictions is available at www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx. Ribfest attendees should also note that alcoholic beverages and fireworks of any kind are prohibited on the hospital campus.
Accessible Event Parking
The primary parking for vehicles displaying a disabled parking placard is located at All Saints Academy, 1155 Aurora Ave., between River Rd. and West St. Shuttle buses will be available from this location throughout Ribfest and will drop guests off near the entrance to Ribfest at the corner of West St. and Martin Ave.
Limited onsite parking is also available at Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave., in the forward portion of Lot A only. There will be no shuttle service from this location.
Accessible parking is available in all of the parking lots and parking decks throughout downtown Naperville, as well as on some of the streets. Limited accessible parking is also available at the Municipal Center parking deck, located at 400 S. Eagle St. There is no shuttle service from these accessible parking locations to the Ribfest grounds.
A color-coded Ribfest accessible parking map, All Saints Academy accessible parking location map and downtown Naperville accessible parking locations map are available to view on the City’s website at www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx.
Accessible Drop-Off Location, Entrances and Seating Areas
Vehicles displaying a disabled parking placard may drop off individuals with disabilities and their companions at the drop-off area located on the east side of West St. at the northeast corner of West St. and Martin Avenue. This drop-off location will be available on all days of the event except July 3.
Individuals with disabilities and their families may enter Ribfest at any of the park’s main gate entrances.
Accessible restrooms will be available throughout the park. If additional assistance is needed with accessible seating at the stage areas, individuals with a red Ribfest shirt and radios will be on the grounds to provide assistance. Two accessible seating areas are available at Ribfest. To view a color-coded map of these seating areas, visit www.ribfest.net.
Fireworks Display
Naperville’s Fourth of July fireworks will take place in Knoch Park at 9:30PM on Tues., July 3. Additional road closures and restrictions, along with the special shuttles/remote parking locations, are in effect on that day. Gates will open to the public at 7:30PM on Tues., July 3 for the fireworks show. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx.
Ribfest General Information
Sponsored by the Exchange Club, Ribfest will be held in Knoch Park from 4 to 10PM on Fri., June 29 and from noon to 10PM Sat., June 30 through Tues., July 3. The event features rib vendors from across the nation, as well as many additional food vendors, attractions and musical entertainment. This year’s entertainment line-up features a variety of major music acts including Steve Miller Band, Joe Walsh and ZZ Top.
A no re-entry policy after 7PM will be in place for Ribfest. The gates of Ribfest may close at any time due to crowd density or any other public safety reason. This is the decision of the City of Naperville Police Department in conjunction with Ribfest leadership.
For a complete list of vendors, activities and an entertainment line-up, in addition to more information on accessibility at the event, visit www.ribfest.net. For more information on shuttle locations, street closures, parking restrictions and accessibility, in addition to color-coded maps, visit www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx.
