'Not Going To Deter Us': Tinley's New Fest A Go As Others Nixed

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park officials have assured they will move forward as planned with the debut of a new fest early in July.

Tinley Park RibFest, scheduled for July 1–4, will be held at the 80th Avenue Metra Station, a main attraction for the Village's July 4 festivities. The train station just weeks ago was the site of a chaotic scene, as hordes of teens stormed a carnival starting fights and creating panic, forcing the cancelation of the final day of the event.

Other area organizations have called off plans for fests or carnivals out of precaution, including Chicago Ridge's RidgeFest and Most Holy Redeemer's parish carnival in Evergreen Park.

The show will go on in Tinley Park, though, Tinley Park Village Manager Pat Carr said Wednesday. Touted as the "ultimate celebration of ribs, music, fireworks, and family fun," RibFest is set to include carnival "kiddie rides," live music, ribs "in a mouth-watering, toe-tapping extravaganza."

"We're not canceling," Carr told Patch. "We’re moving forward. We're looking forward to this event.

"It’s our first of many annual events that we plan on having, based on this theme."

Carr said there will be increased security protocols at the location, 18001 S. 80th Ave., also alluded to by Mayor Michael Glotz days after the teen mob descended on the carnival, an event organized by the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce.

"It’s unfortunate what happened a couple of weeks ago," Carr said. "That wasn’t our event. We responded the way we needed to respond, and unfortunately it had to be shut down."

The RibFest event will be fenced in, with controlled entry- and exit-points, Carr said. That was planned prior to the mob event, he clarified. Entry will be $10 each, with children 3 and younger free. Hours will be 2 to 10 p.m. each day. Entry will be free for Tinley Park residents July 4, with proof of residency.

There were also be enhanced youth supervision policies, though those have not yet been confirmed. Event vendor Event Wiz Inc. disclosed specific youth supervision policies on a social media page for the event, but Carr said the Village is still in the process of vetting those.

Event Wiz Inc.'s guidelines advise all visitors aged 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult, and 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.

Carr stressed the Village is developing its own youth policies for the event, which ultimately may differ from the vendor's.

The vendor also noted that guests will be subject to bag checks and a metal detector.

"There will be bag checks, areas to get in that will be specific to control the flow of people going in," Carr said. "We will try to prevent anything from happening. We're planning on having a safe event.

"It’s not going to deter us."

Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at entry.