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Exchange Club of Naperville enters discussions with Romeoville for 2020 Ribfest relocation

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Above / With plans to enter discussions with the Village of Romeoville for a new Ribfest relocation in 2020, members of the Exchange Club of Naperville are actively preparing for the 2019 Ribfest music and family festival, the “Last Nights at Knoch,” July 3-6. (PN File Photo)


On Friday, April 12, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Exchange Club of Naperville voted to approve the Ribfest Relocation Team’s recommendation to enter into final discussions on a contract with the Village of Romeoville. According to current Exchange Club President John Dunham, this year’s Ribfest will be the final Ribfest held at Knoch Park in Naperville, its home for more than 30 years.

“Our goal for this summer is two-fold,” Dunham notes in a news release, “(Exchange Club) will host an incredible Ribfest 2019, and secure a new home for Ribfest 2020 and beyond, so we can continue funding worthy agencies. The discussions with the Village of Romeoville are the next logical step.”

Exchange Club of Naperville since 1987

Since the club chartered in 1987, Exchange Club of Naperville has been dedicated to funding local and regional non-profit agencies that work to strengthen families, eliminate child abuse and domestic violence, and promote Americanism.  More than $17.5 million from its service activities at Ribfest have been distributed to more than fifty local charities. 

This year’s lineup for Ribfest 2019 on the Navistar Main Stage includes Billy Idol July 3; Flo Rida with fireworks by Meijer on Independence Day, July 4; and Brantley Gilbert July 5.  The headliner for July 6 will be announced soon. 

Tickets are available at ribfest.net.

2019 Grand Sponsors for ‘Last Nights in Knoch’

This year’s grand sponsors include ABC7 Chicago; Navistar; Meijer; Naperville Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank; Jewel- Osco, Nathan’s Famous Beef Franks; Pell;, Gnarly Head; Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group; Guaranteed Rate; Truly Spiked & Sparkling; Great Lakes Coca-Cola; Miller Lite; Euclid Beverage; and D&J Amusements.

Over the years, Ribfest has been blessed with many beautiful sunsets. (PN File Photo)

Exchange Club of Naperville and Ribfest

 Exchange, America’s Service Club, is a group of men and women working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and its national program—the Prevention of Child Abuse.  Exchange Club of Naperville chartered in 1987.  Mission-driven and volunteer run, Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest is a premier Midwestern 4th of July concert series and celebration. Ribfest, in its 32nd year, now draws more than 150,000 visitors annually.  Net proceeds from Ribfest directly support 50-plus agencies that work tirelessly to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence in all forms. To date, Exchange has donated over $17.5 million to these agencies.

RELATED PN POSTS / “Ribfest”


Editor’s Note / Near the conclusion of the City Council meeting on April 16, 2019, under “New Business” (Click here to watch), Mayor Steve Chirico and Councilwoman Judy Brodhead addressed the fact that the City of Naperville was not involved in the decision to change locations of Ribfest at Knoch Park and Christkindlmarket at Naper Settlement. The City Clerk defined the City’s role in many local festivals and how it grants funds to nonprofit groups via SECA for City services and support that include police and fire protection as well as help with road closures and signage from the Department of Public Works.

Update, April 17, 2019 / Ron Amato is next in line to become president of the Exchange Club of Naperville as talks begin with Romeoville leaders. During the mixing and mingling at Thursday evening’s Chef’s Showdown— an engaging fundraising and awareness event for Loaves & Fishes Community Services inside Loaves & Fishes marketplace— the service club’s president-elect noted that the Romeoville venue is “just nine miles” from his Naperville home.

The park setting in Romeoville is slightly larger than Knoch Park, Amato said, with plenty of nearby parking. Exchangite Bob Black is set to lead Ribfest 2020. Rick Grimes serves as Executive Director of the music and barbecue family festival held in conjunction with Independence Day.

When a 10-year contract between the Naperville Park District and Exchange Club of Naperville for Ribfest ends in 2019 for use of Knoch Park, the park featuring six baseball fields, 12 tennis courts and four softball fields is set to be renovated. Exchange Club Ribfest organizers first publicly announced its need to change locations last December.

According to Internet maps, the distance from Naperville to Romeoville appears to be 9-15 miles and is expected to take 20-24 minutes.

Last Update, April 18, 2019

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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