Above / Nelly is booked to perform at Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest on July 4, 2020. (Photo courtesy Exchange Club of Naperville)
Organizers say fans of superstar Nelly will be “shaking their tail feathers” on Independence Day, July 4, at the Exchange Club of Naperville’s 33rd Ribfest when the four-day event relocates in Romeoville from July 2 through July 5.
The world-renowned and multi-talented artist is the king of summer anthem songs, and an influencer in the musical, television and sports worlds which makes him a fascinating entertainer.
“We can’t wait to host Nelly,” stated Mary Howenstine, director of marketing for Ribfest in the news release. “He’s tremendously talented artist and philanthropist. He’s top notch.”
A co-headliner will be announced soon, and a fireworks show is also scheduled for Independence Day. 
REO Speedwagon and Styx, with guest artist Head East, will open Ribfest July 2.
For 2020, Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest will be held at 1050 W. Romeo Rd. in Romeoville.
Notes on Nelly
Diamond Selling, Multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning rap superstar, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and actor, Nelly has continually raised the bar for the entertainment industry since stepping on the scene in 2000 with his distinctive vocals and larger-than-life personality.
He became king of the “Summer Anthem” with songs like Hot in Herre, RideWitMe, Country Grammar, Cruise, Shake Ya Tailfeather, Dilemma and Just a Dream.
2020 marks the 20th anniversary of Country Grammar disrupting the music scene with Nelly’s unique sound and vocals. Nelly’s collaboration with Florida Georgia Line received Diamond status and he is only one of seven rappers to date to reach this honor. Currently he is touring around the globe and recently was the first artist to play in Saudi Arabia with a mixed gender/family crowd. Nelly also is known to share the stage with TLC and FloRida.
Adding to his list of “firsts,” Nelly is the first hip hop artist to play with multiple symphonies nationwide and played himself in BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood with Kevin Hart for 6 seasons. His sports knowledge and love of all sports secured him a gig as a sports caster with Skip Bayless.
Billboard ranked Nelly the number three Top Artist of the Decade in 2009 and he to date holds the philanthropic honor of hosting the most African American attended donor registry to date. Nelly is the co-owner of the Charlotte Hornets with Michael Jordan and founded a college program that offers music production to students and Nelly funded scholarships.
Tickets for sale online
Tickets for July 4th go on sale January 27, 2020. Tickets for July 2 are on sale now through ribfest.net.
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 33rd year, now draws more than 150,000 visitors annually. In 2020, the venue has a new home in Romeoville, Illinois. Net proceeds from Ribfest directly support 50+ agencies that work tirelessly to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence in all forms. To date, Exchange has donated over $18 million to these agencies.
Story and photo submitted by Ribfest organizers for Exchange Club of Naperville.
