TV's Ty Pennington Set to Grill and Greet at Ribfest

Ribfest is about the food. In addition to the musical acts that will be performing during the annual celebration of pork, TV personality and Sears spokesperson Ty Pennington will be making an appearance.

Ribfest attendees will get the chance to take a photo with Pennington and have the chance to grill with him. Along with Pennington, will be other grilling experts who will be on hand in the Sears “Grilling is Happiness” tent on June 30. The grilling experts will be holding cooking demonstrations from noon to 6 p.m. 

“Personally, I love being outdoors,” Pennington said in a news release from Sears. “Summer is a perfect time for gathering friends and family for a backyard barbecue. I can't wait to get cookin' on my Kenmore grill at Ribfest! I hope you’ll come out to see me – and check it out at www.ribfest.net.”

Television host and author George Hirsch, “Grill Grrrl” Robyn Lindars, and “Burnin’ Love BBQ” chef Perry Perkins will also be attending Ribfest and demonstrating their favorite dishes, which will include healthy meals and BBQ classics, according to the news release. 

Earlier this week, The Exchange Club of Naperville was added to the Ribfest line up.

The band will perform on July 3, which is a big day for Ribfest this year since that is the day the festival will host fireworks, said Julie Lichter, Ribfest’s PR and marketing chair. In prior years the fireworks have been held on July 4, but this year they will be held a day earlier.

Lichter said she wanted to make sure Ribfest attendees noted the new date for the fireworks.

Also new this year, tickets are being sold date specific for all Ribfest entertainment. The tickets are available on the Ribfest website. Tickets will not be sold at Jewel. They must be purchased online or at the gate. Some of the bands performing this year include ZZ Top, Steve Miller, Joe Walsh, Joe Nichols, Heartsfield and Leftover Salmon. 

The 25th Annual Ribfest will be held June 29-July 3 in . Money raised at the event is distributed to more than 50 local agencies that are working to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence.