Proposal For Ribfest's Return Nixed By Naperville Park District

NAPERVILLE, IL — A proposal to bring Ribfest back to Naperville in 2022 was recently rejected by Naperville Park District commissioners. At the Aug. 26 Board of Park District Commissioners meeting, community representatives presented plans for a proposed two-day festival that would be held at Frontier Sports Complex.

Board members declined the proposal, citing concerns that Ribfest would cause the park district to lose revenue by displacing Frontier Sports Complex patrons during the two-day festival. Hosting Ribfest at the sports complex would also require subsequent work to repair turf at the site, park district officials said in a news release.

Ultimately, commissioners expressed that they believed the proposed event did not coincide with the park district's mission to facilitate "recreation and park experiences that promote healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community.”

Naperville hosted Ribfest for more than 30 years, bringing food, live music and a carnival midway to Knoch Park before the event was forced to relocate due to renovations at the park. Ribfest was initially set to make its debut in Romeoville in 2020, but the event was canceled due to coronavirus restrictions.

Ribfest 2021 was also called off amid the ongoing pandemic.