Down-home blues featured at Ribfest

Chicago blues and award-winning ribs highlight the Little Bear Ribfest set for 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, and 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, just north of Route 60, Vernon Hills.

There is a $5 entrance fee into Ribfest, which supports the Vernon Hills Park District’s Family Scholarship Program. Six vendors will sell their wares at a nominal cost: Brothers’ BBQ, Sweet Baby Rays Barbeque, Real Urban Barbeque, The Full Slab Smokehouse and Bar, Uncle Bub’s BBQ, and Smokin’ T’s Barbeque.

Friday night’s entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. with Jamie Lono, “The Voice” contestant, followed at 9 p.m. by Grammy award-winning Los Lonely Boys.

Saturday’s entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. with the Red, White and Blues Band, followed at 7 p.m. by Tallan Noble Latz and Matt Anderson at 9 p.m. Visit www.littlebearribfest.com.

The presenting sponsor is Best Buy. In addition to sponsoring the event, Best Buy staff will be volunteering their time at Ribfest.

The beer vendor is Miller. Craft beer choices will be Fat Tire Ale from new Belgium Brewing and Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy. DiCarlo’s of Mundelein will provide the wine selections. Local civic groups, including the Lions, Rotary and Knights of Columbus, will provide volunteer support.

Proceeds support the Family Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to families struggling to give their children opportunities to participate in preschool, summer camps, after school activities and other youth programs.

The district receives more than 40 requests each year and the number continues to increase. The average financial aid scholarship provided per family is $500 per year.