Lake in the Hills’ Rockin’ Ribfest to return

Rockin’ Ribfest returns to Sunset Park in Lake in the Hills from July 8 to 11, with several music acts and noted food vendors from across the country.

Ribfest is a fundraiser for the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club, a service organization that raises funds to support local organizations.

Admission to the festival costs $5, and is free for children age 12 and younger.

This year’s festival will take place from 4:30 to 11 p.m. Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Several musical groups will play each day of the festival.

On Thursday, rock band Modern Day Romeos will be the headline artist. On Friday, the Boy Band Night will play following an Elton John tribute group. The Boy Band Night performs songs from artists such as One Direction, Backstreet Boys and Jonas Brothers.

Saturday’s music lineup will be headlined by Steve Augeri, the former lead singer of Journey. Augeri performed with Journey from 1998 to 2006, and was involved with three albums in his time with the band. Sunday’s headliner will be local rock band 7th Heaven.

Eight rib vendors from around the country will be in attendance: Pigfoot BBQ & Rib Co. from Mentor, Ohio; Texas Outlaw BBQ from Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Cowboy BBQ and Rib Co. from Fort Worth, Texas; Fine Smoke BBQ from Columbus, Ohio; Hog Wild BBQ from Olive Hill, Kentucky; After Hours BBQ from Orville, Ohio; Armadillo’s BBQ from Atlanta, Georgia; and Mojo’s Rib Shack from New Franklin, Ohio.

The festival also will have a carnival. Wristbands can be purchased for $25 for unlimited rides.

Sunset Park is at 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills.

More information about Rockin’ Ribfest, including information about musical acts and food vendors, can be found at lithribfest.com.

Ben Szalinski

Ben Szalinski

Ben is a former Northwest Herald who reported on local news in Harvard, Marengo, Huntley and Lake in the Hills along with the McHenry County Board. He graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield Public Affairs Reporting program in 2021. Ben is originally from Mundelein.