For a second consecutive year, the Exchange Club of Naperville has been forced to cancel Ribfest, which was to be held in Romeoville July 1-4 for the first time.
Fest Chairman Bob Black said pandemic safety requirements would limit how many people could attend the event, which had been a Naperville tradition until 2019.
“Local restrictions on numbers of attendees currently in place under the bridge phase (of the state’s coronavirus recovery plan) would not allow us enough people at a proper ticket price point for the proceeds to fund the agencies we allocate to,” Black said.
The state of Illinois’ bridge to Phase V allows for 30 people per 1,000 square feet at outdoor festivals. Outdoor seated concerts are limited to 60% capacity. Standing room dining is also limited to 50% capacity outdoors.
Ribfest distributes funds to 40 local charities from the event’s proceeds and has donated more than $18 million since the fest’s inception.
“Even in Phase V, the short time lag between mid-June and July 1 is not sufficient,” Black said. “For instance, logistically we need to start constructing for the park some two weeks in advance.
“So, with great regret and disappointment, Ribfest had to be postponed until 2022, due to circumstances beyond our control still related to the pandemic,” he said. “We have already put in countless volunteer hours toward planning and holding this event.”
Black noted that “we were prepared to announce outstanding entertainment all four nights and to begin ticket sales, but given the uncertainty we were experiencing, ticket sales did not yet begin, although we were all ready to go,” Black said.
REO Speedwagon was announced as the headline performer on opening night.
The popular festival was supposed to make its Romeoville debut in 2020, but the pandemic forced it to be called off for safety reasons.
Ribfest is scheduled to return in 2022. Information on how to obtain refunds is to come. Ticketholders have the option of donating the money spent to the Exchange Club.
For more information, go to ribfest.net.
wweber@tribpub.com
