When members of the Exchange Club of Naperville met for the Ribfest Mascot Reveal at Naperville Bank & Trust on June 17, the public was introduced to a character named “Curly Hamilton,” the porky mascot that will get kids squealing and hamming it up at Ribfest in Knoch Park, June 30 to July 3.
“I chose the name Hamilton because of pigs and ‘ham,’” said Julia Hannon, who submitted the prize-winning moniker for the mascot. “And because Hamilton is a really unique play.”
For her successful submission, every one of Julia’s classmates in Mrs. Fitzgerald’s 3rd grade at Brookdale Elementary School receives a pass to 2017 Ribfest, good for one accompanying adult guest, too.
This year’s Ribfest Chair, Diane Simmons, is pleased as Punch with Hamilton. For the first time in its 30-year history, Ribfest will feature an almost 7-ft. tall, guitar-strumming mascot, a good luck charm, if you will.
And already that luck is showing, according to the 23-year member of Exchange Club of Naperville. “We’ve had the best pre-sales ever,” Simmons said. “Some concerts are sold out. And we’re about to hit $2 million in sponsorships. Plus, people are actually donating to our cause online.”
Simmons is most experienced at giving away the funds, she said, noting she served as allocations chair for 13 years. “This year, however, I wanted to help make the money to give away,” she said.
“I’m most excited about the entertainment lineup,” she said. “We’re offering something for all ages—country on Friday, 80s on Saturday, rock on Sunday, and more rock with alternative on Monday.”
“We started working to book Toby Keith in the fall, way before it was announced,” explained Simmons, who said she wanted Keith because he’s about “as American as you get” and her mother is big fan. “My only request is that she gets to meet Toby Keith.”
Simmons notes her three children have been helping at Ribfest since they were little and she also ran other events such as 3-on-3 Basketball and Grand Prix way back when. Danny, now 21, is the iceman, she said. Daughter Emily, age 17, volunteers where needed every day. And Matt, age 12, will help one of the days.
“I’m excited … and praying for good weather,” Simmons added. “Our committee and all the volunteers are working toward a great, fun, safe event.”
Sponsored by Naperville Bank & Trust, Curly Hamilton is sure to keep Ribfest moving forward as will other generous sponsors that help heighten awareness and fundraising for the cause to prevent domestic violence.
For more information about volunteering, ribbers, entertainment and everything else at Ribfest, visit www.ribfest.net.
Find more about Curly Hamilton with lots of photos by visiting www.positivelynaperville.com and searching “Hamilton.”
“I noticed at the bottom of every page the past couple months that Positively Naperville has been mentioning the fireworks will be July 3. Thank you for that,” Simmons added.
Cheers to “Red Solo Cup.”
