It doesn’t get much better than good food, good music, and the beautiful Chicago summertime and to enjoy all three this weekend be sure to come out to Ribfest Chicago. Back by popular demand, Ribfest Chicago will once again treat festival goers to a slew of savory treats from over 30 Chicagoland vendors.
While its notoriety was largely gained by its exceptional pork rib offerings, Ribfest Chicago also has non-rib vendors—accommodating vegetarian and gluten free visitors—and has become an internationally recognized music festival. Make no mistake though, pork ribs are the unquestioned center of attention here with the main event featuring 15 restaurants participating in a celebrity-judged contest as well as fighting for the title of people’s choice for best ribs. Ribfest Chicago also boasts the only major rib eating contest in the Midwest with Ribmania. Last year Miki Sudo defended her championship belt by eating 4.8 pounds of ribs from Uncle Bub’s BBQ in eight minutes.
Ribfest is also a family-friendly environment with a kids square open both Saturday and Sunday with inflatables, dancing, mini-golf, yoga, and even a karate demonstration.
Ribfest Chicago started in a parking lot with just 5 restaurants and a few hundred devoted rib enthusiasts but soon relocated to Lincoln Avenue and has grown to over 70,000 fans in 2014. Featured on the Food Network’s “Eating America,” Ribfest Chicago has become a staple of Chicago’s summer festival lineup for 17 years.
While admission to the event is free, a $5 donation is suggested at the gate and the proceeds are invested into the Northcenter community to support local schools, nonprofit organizations, and economic development. No cash is accepted in exchange for food or drinks at the event, instead tickets are used and can be bought with either cash or credit at $1 per ticket.
Ribfest Chicago is located along Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park and Berteau Ave. and will be open Friday and Saturday from 5 – 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12 – 10 p.m. For more information on this event visit ribfest-chicago.com.
