Third Eye Blind, Phil Vassar to headline Naperville Ribfest

Naperville Ribfest returns to the DuPage Fairgrounds in Wheaton with a new date on the calendar. Third Eye Blind and Phil Vassar are the headliners.

Now in its 34th year, Naperville Ribfest is from 12 to 10 p.m. Sept. 15-16 and 12 to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 at the DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds in Wheaton. It’s the second year in the Wheaton location and a move on the calendar, as well. Ribfest was held in mid-June in 2022.

“Last year went pretty well, other than our cancellation,” said Ribfest chairman Jerry Kochurka, referring to headliner Toby Keith pulling out due to health reasons. “The DuPage Event Center is working with us diligently again to help make this successful.

“With the timing this year, we’re hoping that it will help us about a little bit and it’s not going to be 90 to 100 degrees.”

Third Eye Blind (“Semi-Charmed Life”) will perform Sept. 15 and country music legend Phil Vassar will perform Sept. 16. Singer-songwriter Alexandra Kay of Millstadt, Illinois, will open for Vassar.

“It’s going to be one stage. The nice thing about this year compared to last year is last year we were on pea gravel and when it was windy, you’d get dust in your eyes,” he said. “This year we moved it to the other side of the park where it’s grass.”

Ribfest will feature seven returning ribbers and a new one, Texas Lightning BBQ. Other ribbers include: Armadillo’s Rib and Que Company, Johnson’s Bar-B-Que, Salt Creek BBQ, Texas Outlaw Barbecue, Western Bronco BBQ and Blazin’ Bronco BBQ.

Although Kochurka prefers his ribs dry rubbed, he appreciates the variety each ribber brings to the table.

“That’s one thing I do enjoy, that they’re all different.”

Somewhat to that end, they’re scaling back on some of the ancillary food vendors, he said.

“We took out some of the other food vendors and made it more about the ribs and the chicken that the ribbers cook,” he said.

Other vendors include Nothing Bundt Cake, Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream, Eatery Huts Lemonade and Suzie’s Fun Foods.

There will also be about 15 business and organization booths, he said. Kids can enjoy a carnival and a family fun area with inflatables and other activities, he said.

Ribfest is the annual fundraiser of the Exchange Club of Naperville to help fight child abuse and domestic violence, he said.

“Another thing about this event is we’re all volunteers. None of us get paid,” he said.

Kochurka has been involved with Ribfest for 22 years.

“I like the event and I like where the money goes,” he said. “It’s about fun, food and family. Come out for the music and the awesome ribs and to have fun with your family.”

Naperville Ribfest

When: 12-10 p.m. Sept. 15-16 and 12-8 p.m. Sept. 17

Where: DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds: 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton

Tickets: $5; $35-$40 for entertainment

Information: ribfest.net

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.