Ribfest 2012: Remote Parking, Shuttles, Parking Restrictions

From the city of Naperville

The is offering reminders about the upcoming street closures, parking restrictions, shuttle locations and accessibility plans that will be in effect throughout Ribfest, taking place June 29 to July 3.

Several road closures and no parking zones will be in effect durating of the festival, as well as additional closures and restrictions on July 3. The details regarding dates, times and locations of these closures and parking restrictions can be found on color-coded maps located on the city’s website.  

Several changes are in place for the 2012 Ribfest event, including:

• This year, tickets will no longer be available for purchase at area Jewel/Osco stores. Tickets can only be purchased at the gate or online.
• Tickets purchased this year are date specific.
• The fireworks display will be held on Tuesday, July 3 at 9:30 p.m. instead of the actual Fourth of July holiday.

Remote Parking and Shuttle Locations

Visitors are encouraged to use the free public shuttles serving Ribfest. Shuttles will run to and from several remote-parking locations throughout Naperville. Shuttles run continuously on June 29 from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on all other days of the fest. Restricted shuttle service will apply to the Naperville Metra Station – Burlington Lot. Service from this lot will run from 6 to 10:30 p.m. on June 29; July 2; and July 3. Shuttle service will be available at this location from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on June 30 and July 1.

Additional shuttle service will be provided on July 3 at additional locations. For a list of shuttle locations and hours, visit www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx.

Parking Restrictions
Edward Hospital has announced the following parking restrictions in effect during Ribfest:

• There is no Ribfest event parking at Edward Hospital.
• The entrance/exit to the Edward Hospital campus from Martin Avenue will be closed from 11 a.m. on June 29 through 11 p.m. on July 3.
• The north entrance to the hospital campus from Washington Street will be closed from 11 a.m. on Friday, June 29 to 11 p.m. on July 3. 
• The entrance/exit to the hospital campus from West Street will be closed from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3.
• The south entrance (Osler Drive) to the hospital campus from Washington Street will remain open throughout Ribfest for patient and ambulance traffic.

A map of Edward Hospital parking restrictions is available at www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx. Ribfest attendees should also note that alcoholic beverages and fireworks of any kind are prohibited on the hospital campus.

Accessible Event Parking
The primary parking for vehicles displaying a disabled parking placard is located at All Saints Academy, 1155 Aurora Ave., between River Road and West Street. Shuttle buses will be available from this location throughout Ribfest and will drop guests off near the entrance to Ribfest at the corner of West Street and Martin Avenue.

Limited onsite parking is also available at , 440 W. Aurora Ave., in the forward portion of Lot A only. There will be no shuttle service from this location.

Accessible parking is available in all of the parking lots and parking decks throughout downtown Naperville, as well as on some of the streets. Limited accessible parking is also available at the Municipal Center parking deck, located at 400 S. Eagle St. There is no shuttle service from these accessible parking locations to the Ribfest grounds.

A color-coded Ribfest accessible parking map, All Saints Academy accessible parking location map and downtown Naperville accessible parking locations map are available to view on the city’s website.

Accessible Drop-Off Location, Entrances and Seating Areas

Vehicles displaying a disabled parking placard or license plates may drop off individuals with disabilities and their companions at the drop-off area located on Hillside Road at the north entrance to Ribfest. Entrance to Hillside Road will only be available via West Street.

Individuals with disabilities and their families may enter Ribfest at any of the park’s main gate entrances. 
Accessible restrooms will be available throughout the park. If additional assistance is needed with accessible seating at the stage areas, individuals with a red Ribfest shirt and radios will be on the grounds to provide assistance. Two accessible seating areas are available at Ribfest. To view a color-coded map of these seating areas, visit www.ribfest.net.

Fireworks Display

Naperville’s Fourth of July fireworks will take place in Knoch Park at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3. Additional road closures and restrictions, along with the special shuttles/remote parking locations, are in effect on that day. Gates will open to the public at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3 for the fireworks show. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx.

Ribfest General Information

Sponsored by the Exchange Club, Ribfest will be held in Knoch Park from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 29 and from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 3. The event features rib vendors from across the nation, as well as many additional food vendors, attractions and musical entertainment. This year’s entertainment line-up features a variety of major music acts including Steve Miller Band, Joe Walsh and ZZ Top.

A no re-entry policy after 7 p.m. will be in place for Ribfest. The gates of Ribfest may close at any time due to crowd density or any other public safety reason. This is the decision of the City of Naperville Police Department in conjunction with Ribfest leadership.

For a complete list of vendors, activities and an entertainment line-up, in addition to more information on accessibility at the event, visit www.ribfest.net. For more information on shuttle locations, street closures, parking restrictions and accessibility, in addition to color-coded maps, visit www.naperville.il.us/ribfest.aspx.

Find information about Ribfest.