12th Annual Exchange Club Ribfest to be Held Aug. 10 at Gurnee Days

Now in its 12th year, the Gurnee Exchange Club’s Ribfest has become a popular part of the Gurnee Days weekend festival. This year’s combination of food, fun and fundraising starts at noon on Saturday, Aug. 10 and will be held adjacent to the Summer Kitchen at Viking Park.

Ribfest features a full menu of barbeque ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, riblets and roasted corn, plus a kids’ menu of hot dogs and chips. Diners can choose from a full dinner platter to a la carte items from noon to 9pm or until sold out. Beer tent hours are from noon until 11pm.

Musical entertainment includes crooner John Ludy Puleo who will perform an amazing range of classical to swing to pop tunes in the “Pig and Ale” beer tent from noon to 3 pm.

The rib-eating contest will be held on the main stage at 3 pm and includes an invitation-only contest among various village departments and other government agencies. The 2013 invitational winner, the Gurnee Fire Department, will be defending its crown.

Throughout the day, the Club will also be conducting a 50-50 raffle. The minimum guaranteed payout is $2000. Ribfest proceeds support the Club’s charitable activities that are focused on prevention of child abuse and other family support services within the greater Gurnee area.

Founded in 1975, the Exchange Club of Gurnee is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization whose primary focus is in the fight against child abuse. Related programs also promote healthy youth activities, family support services and Americanism projects throughout the greater Gurnee area. The Club meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Meetings are held at 7:00am at the Avalon Restaurant (second Tuesday) and at Noon at In-Laws Restaurant (fourth Tuesday). For more information contact bfroese@earthlink.net.