Arts & Entertainment
Ribfest: After-Party, 'RibMania' Major League Eating and More
Rain or shine, we know where you and thousands of others are headed this weekend—Ribfest in nearby Northcenter. Don't worry, we've prepared a handy survival guide for you so you can find all the festival information you need in one place.
It's hard to believe RibFest is just a few days away.
That said, there's no time like the present to prepare. Eat your healthy snacks and salads now because once you hit the fest, it's all savory barbecue for you.
The fun starts on Friday at 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday festival hours kick off at noon and the grounds close at 10 p.m. each night.
In addition to money for food tickets, be sure to pack an extra $5 for your suggested gate donation, which supports the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce's events, greening initiatives and Ribfest Volunteer and Philanthropic Grant programs—those go toward local organizations and schools.
Money from Ribfest Chicago has allowed the chamber to invest $200,000 in the community, board members have said.
Now, let's get to the game plan. Below is our handy dandy guide to Ribfest 2013.
Bone-in appetit!
THE MEAT
Thirteen different rib samplers and around 50,000 pounds of barbecue will tempt meat-lovers June 7, 8 and 9.There's Joey Sutphen's Texas Thunder classic BBQ with honey and brown sugar ribs and more locally, the wood-burning smoke house of Wrigley BBQ, made with 15 spices and herbs. We can't forget our local rib-cooker, Smoke Daddy, which will also be showcased.
If neater-eating is more your style, other fare from local kitchens will be available. Big Fork Brands will have their three-cheese macaroni with bacon sausage and festival-goers can nosh on anything from deep-fried Oreos to shaved ice from other vendors.
THE SMACKDOWN
Ribmaina is back! Major League Eating returns to Ribfest Chicago for RibMania IV, an 8-minute test of man and woman vs baby-back ribs.In the contest's three-year history, the score to date stands at Humans: 3, Ribs: 0. The competitors take the Chicago Reader Stage (Lincoln & Berteau) at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 7.
THE MUSIC
Chicago-based California Wives and rock band Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will headline Saturday night’s performances on Ribfest's two stages. Other bands include Leadfoot, Swearwords, AyOH and We Were Promised Jetpacks.Stages are located at Lincoln and Irving Park (Bud Light Stage) and Lincoln and Berteau avenues (Reader Stage).
THE AFTER-PARTY
We know some of you aren't ready to go home when the festival closes for the evening.That's why the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce has arranged for an After Hours Party at Big Bricks, 3832 N. Lincoln Ave. Stop on by and see what it's all about.
Check back with our neighbors, North Center-Roscoe Village Patch, for more information as Ribfest continues. Oh, and be sure to follow them on Facebook!
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