In Defense of the Suburbs, There's Ribfest

Starting Thursday, Ribfest will dominate the holiday weekend in the suburbs

Yeah, yeah, yeah, tease the suburbs all you want. But Thursday marks the beginning of a weekend when city-dwellers voluntarily migrate to the ‘burbs.

Preposterous, I know, especially with all of Chicago’s Independence Day festivities this weekend. But Thursday through Sunday, Naperville hosts Ribfest,a festival that rivals even the Taste of Chicago.

What to do at Ribfest? Well, it doesn’t take rocket science to realize that there are – you guessed it – a wide variety of ribs to sample at the annual fest. Ribs from 17 different vendors hailing from all over the country will be available for sampling.

Besides the obvious, there are also numerous other local and national food vendors, as well as a beer tent. There are numerous activities to keep the kids busy like Fourth of July fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

But feel free to leave the kids at home and enjoy a few nights of entertainment. Numerous musical acts will be performing throughout the weekend, including Blue Oyster Cult’s headlining act on Thursday and a Sunday night performance by Huey Lewis & the News.

Ribfest begins today and and they'll be flipping the racks from noon until 10:00 p.m. every day until Sunday.

Yes, Chicago, life does exist outside of the city. Ribfest is here to prove it.

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