Know Before You Go: Fireworks, Live Music, Ribs July 4 In Tinley Park

TINLEY PARK, IL — Rib lovers, get your appetites ready. Tinley Park is set to debut its newest event when the sauce is slathered at RibFest Saturday, July 1.

The fest—held at the 80th Avenue Metra station at 18001 S. 80th Ave.—opens at 2 p.m. July 1, running through July 4 and culminating with a fireworks show. Entrance is $10 in advance, and $15 at the gate. Food, drinks, and ride tickets are sold separately.

The multi-day fest will be a first for the Village, Village Manager Pat Carr told Patch, but also the first of many like it to come. The Village has prepped significantly for the event, Carr said, enhancing security measures after a chaotic scene unfolded in May, when hundreds of teens swarmed a carnival and created chaos at a Tinley Park carnival.

Officials are taking extra steps to keep crowds safe at upcoming festivals. Mayor Michael Glotz previously alluded to stricter security protocol coming to future events, and Carr said that includes armed security from an outside firm working alongside local police.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Entry fees: $10 in advance/$15 at the gate. Children ages 3 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online.
• Secured perimeter: The event will be fenced in, with controlled entry and exit points.
• Metal detectors: The detectors will be at entrypoints.
• Bag checks
• ID checks
• Youth supervision policy: All visitors age 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult, who must remain with them at all times. Supervising adults will be required to provide ID. Unsupervised youth age 17 and under will not be admitted without a parent or supervising adult age 21 or older. One adult can supervise up to three youths under 17.
• Parking: Free parking will be available in the north parking lot at the 80th Avenue train station. Parking also will be available at the Oak Park Avenue train station, with a free shuttle service available to take visitors to and from the event. Shuttles will run from 2 to 10:30 p.m. each day. Handicap parking will be available at the south entrance of the 80th Avenue train station on Timber Drive.
• Fireworks: The fireworks display will be launched from the Tinley Fire District's training tower, as a totally aerial display, Glotz said. There will be an area established outside the festival for anyone who wants to watch.
• Free entry for Tinley residents July 4: Tinley Park residents will get in for free July 4, with proof of residency.
• What you can bring: Visitors are welcome to bring blankets, bag chairs, and small coolers (think small enough to fit 12 cans). Leave things like large coolers and bags at home. Probibited inside the fest are bike riding, rollerblading, skateboarding, unauthorized vehicles, concealed carry, and animals (except for service animals).

RIBS PROVIDED BY

• Austin’s Texas Lightning
• Chicago BBQ
• Armadillo’s BBQ
• Aussom Aussie
• Howling Coyote
• Blazin Broncos
• Branding Iron

BAND LINEUP

Saturday, July 1

• How Rude (‘90s tribute) – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Eliminator (ZZ Top tribute) – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Austin Edwards from America’s Got Talent (country) – 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, July 2

• Wall of Denial (Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute) – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Kashmir (Led Zeppelin tribute) – 5 to 7 p.m.
• Eric Chesser (country) – 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Monday, July 3

• Red Roses (alternative and indie) – 2 to 4 p.m.
• Beggars Banquet (Rolling Stones tribute) – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Revisiting Creedence (CCR tribute) – 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 4

• The Walk-Ins (variety) – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Freebyrd (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute) – 5 to 7 p.m.
• American Pie (Americana and acoustic rock) – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, TUESDAY, JULY 4

• Dave Fleming (stilt walker/balloon animals) – 4 to 7 p.m.
• Ms. Jamie’s Farm (children’s entertainer) – 4 to 4:45 p.m.
• Scott Ingerson (children’s entertainer) – 5:15 to 6 p.m.
• The Great Boodini (children’s entertainer, magician) – 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.