Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
The Village of Romeoville was notified by the Exchange Club of Naperville that it is their top choice for the new location of the famous Naperville Ribfest starting in 2020.
The club’s board of directors voted to approve their six-member relocation team’s recommendation that the event, a Naperville ritual for more than 30 years, be moved from Naperville’s Knoch Park to the village located southeast of Naperville.
“From the site that they’re on in Naperville, the Park District is going under reconstruction,” said John Noak, Romeoville Mayor. “Afterwards, it won’t be as conducive to this type of event anymore.”
Romeoville will be undergoing discussions with the Exchange Club on the agreement and the details for the event at a later time.
For now, Romeoville officials plan to meet with various stakeholders regarding the event.
The Village is hopeful in reaching an agreement with the Exchange Club and will work together to support the mission to fund local and regional non-profit agencies.
The annual Ribfest fundraiser hosts more than 200,000 people in a span of four days, is run by the Exchange Club of Naperville, with key resources contracted out such as the layout which is coordinated with a professional event management company.
“Both sides still need to do our due diligence by meeting with various stakeholders, community groups and all of the concerns that are real, need to be addressed,” Noak said.
Noak said in 2020 if everything gets finalized, the event will be held at the municipal grounds of Romeoville.
He also wanted to point out that the Ribfest will not be a replacement for the Romeofest, which the village still plans on having the local festival later in the season.
The municipal campus, which is held on Romeo Road just east of Weber Road, currently features a music pavilion and a recreating campus.
Noak estimated that there were more than a few dozen cites in consideration for the Ribfest to be held, but he couldn’t be more proud and excited Romeoville will get the chance to host it.
“I think it’s a great chance to showcase many of the great and wonderful things we have done in our community,” Noak said. “People are very excited and proud of our facilities in the community that are viewed as one of the top notch areas in the Chicagoland area.”