Celebrate Summer at the Naperville Illinois #Ribfest! #GrillingIsHappiness

The Naperville, Illinois Ribfest is the perfect place to celebrate summer!  I was there yesterday and had an absolute blast!  It was important for me to go to Ribfest this year because even though I live in the Chicago area, I’ve never had the opportunity to go to this legendary festival.  A friend of mine from college was able to go with me and we loved every minute of the day.  Ribfest has fun, food, games, rides, music and more.  Pictures tell it best, take a peek at these in my post, highlights of my day.  To see all my pictures, check out my Google Plus album!

Ribfest is going on through Tuesday, July 3, 2012 in Knoch Park in Naperville.  If you are in the Chicago area, don’t miss this celebration of all things summer!  I’m lucky to have this event practically in my “backyard”, I’m going to make it an annual summer celebration and attend every year.

“It’s about kids” – Ribfest organizers, The Exchange Club of Naperville,  were chartered in 1987 and are dedicated to the elimination of child abuse and domestic violence. Through financial contributions to more than 40 local charities, the Exchange Club has raised more than $10 million from its service activities at Ribfest.

 Ribfest is Rockin’!

For a complete list of the musicians, visit Ribfest.net

Ribfest has become one of the premiere music festivals in the Midwest.  The headliners this year are Joe Walsh, ZZ Top, and Steve Miller Band.  Local bands also perform – there is something for everyone in every genre of music.  Part of the contract with musicians playing at Ribfest includes a clause saying that the band or entertainer can’t play anywhere else within 100 miles of Ribfest within 30 days of the festival.  It’s a unique opportunity to hear great music!

Ribfest Food is Fantastic!

My lunch from Texas Outlaws – Barbecue with Attitude!

Now that’s a fun drink!

Fun for everyone!

Carnival Games and Rides

The Naperville Bank & Trust Family area at Ribfest features entertainment and activities for the whole family! Activities include a carnival, inflatables, a circus aerial show. The Sheer Magic Show, Eurobungee and much more! !

Grilling is Happiness!

Meet Ty Pennington!

I was lucky to be at Ribfest on June 30, when Ty Pennington joined the grilling and outdoor living authority, Sears.  Anyone could get a photo with Ty and meet this charming guy.  But even if you missed Ty, stop by the Sears tent because you can still get great grilling tips and enter to win prizes! Join the tweeting from @Sears, me, and others using the hashtag #GrillingIsHappiness.

Great contests and giveaways! Win a grill or patio set and more at the Sears “Grilling is Happiness” Tent!

Cooking Tips from Grilling Expert George Hirsch at the Sears “Grilling is Happiness” Tent

While I was at the Sears “Grilling is Happiness” Tent, I saw George Hirsch share this great tip for juicing a lemon.  Ty Pennington is so fun *crushin’ sigh*!  Watch this video to learn how to get the most juice out of lemons or limes!

Speaking of grilling, I’m excited to announce the winner of my Sears grilling tools giveaway is…. drumroll, please…  Carrie P.!  Carrie’s winning entry was earned by being one of my email subscribers.  Thank you, Carrie!  (She’s been subscribing for almost a year, yay, Carrie!)

I was lucky to meet Sears executives, Ty Pennington, television host and author George Hirsch, “Grill Grrrl” Robyn Lindars, and “Burnin’ Love BBQ” chef Perry Perkins at a special event on Friday.  To read the questions I asked Ty and his answers, be sure to read my post, “What is it like to meet Ty Pennington?”

My favorite part of the weekend was meeting Ty Pennington!

“Grill Grrrl” Robyn Lindars

Grilling pizzas is a hot new trend this summer.  Go to the Grilling Is Happiness blog for Robyn Lindars, Grill Grrrl’s Ribfest Recipe: Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza.

Perry Perkins

For tips about grilling and entertaining, go to the Grilling Is Happiness website!

www.GrillingIsHappiness.com

Sears Grilling is Happiness has a fantastic contest right now – the prize is a trip for four to a major league baseball game!  Airfare, hotel, and more included in this fun prize!!  Click on the pic below to go to the Sears Facebook entry site – GOOD LUCK!  (I also got a coupon when I entered!)

For more about Grilling, Ribfest and Sears, follow these links:

• Ribfest on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ribfestnaperville?ref=nf
• Ribfest on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/ribfest_nxc
• Catalog Link: http://bit.ly/CatalogCB
• Sears Local Ad: http://bit.ly/SearsWeeklyDealsCB
• Sears on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/Sears
• Sears on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/sears
• Sears Shop Your Way Rewards on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShopYourWay

I’m already marking my calendar for Ribfest 2013 – I hope I’ll see you there!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Sears. #CBias #SocialFabric