Chicago Ridge's RidgeFest 2019: What You Need To Know

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL—Come out and celebrate RidgeFest’s big 3-0. Chicago Ridge’s famous fest kicks off this weekend, July 25 through July 28. RidgeFest 2019 will be held on the grounds of Freedom Park at Birmingham and Oak. Featuring bands, food, beer, rides, family entertainment, a car show, fireworks and merchant lane carrying everything from handcrafted items to light-up toys, it's easy to see why Southsiders flock to RidgeFest year after year. RidgeFest was named the "Best Neighborhood Festival in 2019 by the Daily Southtown.

RidgeFest is noted for attracting some of the biggest names in rock along with the best local bands in the Chicago area and Midwest. The 30th edition features headliners the BoDeans (July 26) and Smash Mouth (July 27), along with the Four C-Notes Jersey Boys tribute, Hairbangers Ball, Infinity, Maggie Speaks, and the best Tom Petty tribute band in the country -- Free Fallin’.

Over the past 30 years, RidgeFest has raised $1.5 million to local non-profit organizations that count on RidgeFest donations to help make ends meet.

Mayor Chuck Tokar, who grew up in Chicago Ridge, remembers when community fests were held at 107th and Menard and on Ridgeland Avenue, when it was still a prairie.

“In terms of being RidgeFest, we started out with an Oktoberfest and the weather was terrible. New year we did a September Fest, and the weather was equally terrible,” Tokar said. “We’ve been lucky with weather, the last weekend in July seems to be a good weekend for the weather. We’re lighting candles.”

Pick up a few baubles or a handcrafted item at Merchant Lane or head over to Restaurant Row, featuring Durbins of Burbank and Palos, La Playita and other carnival fare.

RidgeFest's 2019 Car and Bike Show gets underway Saturday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring classic cars, rods and customs. Same-day registration is available until noon, with 40 awards and plaques—including the Mayor's Award—handed out at 3 p.m. Participation fee for exhibitors is $25; spectators are free.

Sunday is Family Fun Day at RidgeFest, featuring ponies, exotic animals, crafts, balloon twisters and axe throwing. Chicago Ridge residents are free with ID; admission for non-residents is $5.

Since RidgeFest's debut in 1989, Ted Nugent has headlined three times. Bret Michaels, 38 Special, Julianne Hough, Dennis DeYoung, Eddie Money, Rick Springfield, the Gin Blossoms, John Corbitt, Gary Senese’s Lt. Dan Band, Survivor, Bacon Brothers, Pat Benator, Poi Dog Pondering, Peter Frampton, Kansas, Night Ranger, Grand Funk Railroad, Steve Dahl, Loverboy, KC and the Sunshine Band, Randy Bachman, the Grass Roots, Blood, Sweat and Tours, Three Dog Night, America, Marshall Tucker, Blackberry Smoke, Ides of March, the Rascals, Scott Stapp and Uncle Kracker have graced the RidgeFest Main Stage.

“I don’t think we’re in competition with other towns,” Tokar said. “It’s a way for communities to bring their residents together for a good time and for people to relax.”

RidgeFest 411

Thursday, July 25

• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Admission $5
• Carnival 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
• Bingo, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Carnival Special, 6 to 10 p.m.
• Infinity, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Hairbangers Ball, 8:30 t0 10:30 p.m.

Friday, July 26

• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Admission $10
• Bingo, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Maggie Speaks, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• BoDeans, 9:45 to 11:15 p.m.

Saturday, July 27

• Gates open at 3 p.m.
• Admission $10
• Bingo, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Dancing Noodles, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
• Prime Time Racing, 3 to 8 p.m.
• Dreams, 3:!5 to 5:15 p.m.
• Eric Chesser, 8:45 to 10:15 p.m.
• SmashMouth, 10:30 to 11:45 p.m.

Sunday, July 28

• Gates open at 2 p.m.
• Free admission for Chicago Ridge residents (with ID), $5 non-residents
• Super Sunday Family Fun Day, 2 to 7 p.m.
• Prime Time Racing, 2 to 8 p.m.
• Classic Car and Bike Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Carnival Special, 2 to 6 p.m.
• Bingo, 3 to 6 p.m.
• Four C-Notes Jersey Boys tribute, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Covergirls and Violins, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
• Free Fallin’ Tom Petty Tribute, 8 to 9 p.m.
• Fireworks, 9:10 to 9:30 p.m.
• Free Fallin’ Tom Petty Tribute, 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Super Sunday Family Fun Day Lineup

• Exotic Petting Zoo, pony rides, Big Run Wolf RanchMichael’s Makes Creativity Happen, Balloon Dude Dale, Foam Party, Axe Throwing, Human Spheres, air brush tattoos, bumper cars, 2 to 7 p.m.
• World of Reptiles, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Popeye the Sailor Man, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Mr. D's Magic, 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Jesse White Tumblers, 4:30 p.m.

Eats

Camzies Pizza, Sno Daze Tropical Sno, La Playita, Lee Concessions, Gourmet Delights, Nick’s Pizza, Boy Scout Troop 665, Durbin’s, La Michoacana, Cub Scout Pack 3665, Jack Desmond’s Irish Pub.