First Ribs on the River Festival Saturday

Organizer Chris Funkhouser hopes there will be a few dozen people serving up barbecue Saturday for Yorkville's first Ribs on the River festival.

The day-long event will feature local crews making ribs at , a performance by the band Epic starting at 7 p.m. and free admission for the public.

The festival will be open to the public from noon to 10 p.m. The BBQ will be submitted for judging about 4:30 p.m., and awards will be issued beginning at 6 p.m., according to information posted on the city's website.

The team with the best ribs (according to the event judges) will win $500, while the second-place team will receive $300 and the third $200. Members of the public also can vote for the most popular ribs, as well as the team with the "best dressed tent."

Click here for information on being a vendor or exhibitor, as well as information about competing in the event. Click here for the event's page on Facebook.

The event will be adjacent to the Illinois Whitewater Festival, which the city is hosting in conjunction with the Outdoor Leadership Center, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Click here and scroll down for details about the whitewater festival.