Naperville Ribfest closing permanently after 35 years, citing high cost
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (CBS) — The Naperville Ribfest is permanently done after 35 years.
The long-running event was organized by the Exchange Club of Naperville. The closing was announced on the event's Facebook page.
The page cited the high costs of holding the event following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced its cancellation in 2020 and 2021. Organizers said the festival had not been able to generate enough income for it to be profitable.
"I kind of saw it coming, but I felt bad," said Mark Link, owner of Uncle Bub's.
It's no surprise for Link that Naperville Ribfest is no more. He's won multiple awards at the event.
"Once they moved it, during COVID, it was pretty hard. And they had to move the location. So it's very expensive to run an event like this," Link said. "It was very hard to get everyone to leave Knoch Park to go to the DuPage County Fairground."
Link said that when he competed, he wanted to win the trophy and give the money back to the Exchange Club or directly to the organizations.
"To me, a battered woman or abused child, they're kind of helpless, and that kind of touches my heart because I like to help people," Link said.
But fans of pulled pork and barbeque chicken are not the only ones impacted. The decision is also costly for some local non-profits.
Ribfest was a huge factor in how the Exchange Club raised millions of dollars for dozens of nonprofits that fight child abuse and domestic violence, like Hesed House in Aurora.
"We're really disappointed just because we know the incredible impact that this event has both at Hesed House for our family shelter and our families that turn to us each day," said Lauren Jernigan, Director of Development of Hesed House.
She said they understand this was a tough decision but rely on all of their community partners, including the Exchange Club of Naperville.
"That's something that they partnered with us on. So that's obviously going to be impacted. I know that they'll continue to support us and other organizations, but that's going to be something that we'll have to figure out down the road," Jernigan said.
Link said if someone does step up and bring back Ribfest, he will compete again.
The announcement post also mentioned that following the expiration of their lease in Naperville, there had been plans to hold the Naperville Ribfest at a new location in Wheaton at the county fairgrounds. But the Exchange Club said with the prohibitively high costs, the plan to move to a new location did not work out.
"It is with great sadness that we will not be able to continue on with Ribfest in the future. We can be proud of the years of service we have given to our town and families. Ribfest, The Grand Prix, three-on-three basketball tournaments, parades, many service projects, Police and Firefighters of the Year, The Crime prevention calendar, Adopt a Family at Christmas, the holiday trolley Christmas parties, Ribfest pre-parties and after parties, scholarships for students in all of our schools, the 911 ceremony, give a kid a flag to wave. Our impact will live on in our community because of our years of dedication and service to our community."
The Naperville Ribfest dates back to 1988. CBS Chicago broadcast live and maintained a large presence at the Naperville Ribfest for many years.
The event has raised funds for more than 75 agencies.
