Ribfest Partners with AllenForce to Offer On-site Transportation to Veterans

 Joel Carlsen, 2018 Ribfest Chair, is bringing several innovations to Naperville’s Ribfest this July 4-7 at Naperville’s Knoch Park.  Nothing, though, delights Carlsen more than the recent partnership established with AllenForce.  AllenForce, a local nonprofit headquartered in Plainfield, Illinois, will offer complimentary transport to veterans in all-terrain chairs on-site at Ribfest.
The all-terrain chairs are the tactical component of AllenForce’s mission to enable disabled veterans to participate in local outdoor events that span large areas.  The chairs won’t be hard to miss:  the VETANKS are mobile due to a caterpillar or tank tread, rather than traditional wheels.
“Ribfest covers about ten ballfields, 14 acres from end to end, not including walking in the remote parking lots,” says Carlsen. “We know grassy area isn’t the easiest to navigate.  Having a partner like AllenForce bring all-terrain vehicles to allow more veterans to enjoy Ribfest is more than we could have dreamed.”
AllenForce will be staged at Ribfest’s East Gate which is accessible by way of Washington Street, near the Child ID and Lost & Found stations.  The AllenForce station will also serve as a resource point for veterans while attending Ribfest.
“The all-terrain chairs, combined with the 4^th of July free admission to South Park for veterans, plus having a dedicated area for veterans to check in, creates we hope, the best ever Ribfest for our nation’s finest,” said Carlsen.
 
About Ribfest 2018
Ribfest 2018 opens Wednesday July 4^th, hosting the Stray Cats with guest artist Melissa Etheridge AND fireworks sponsored by Meijer®. The event continues through the 7^th and boasts Pitbull on July 5^th, and country stars Jake Owen, Chris Janson and Jordan Davis on July 6th. Powerhouse rocker Steven Tyler and the Loving Mary Band close out the annual music and rib festival on Saturday, July 7^th.
 
Tickets
Tickets for Ribfest are on sale now through ribfest.net.  Tickets prices increase June 1^st.  Patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets now.
There are a variety of ticket choices for Ribfest 2018.  For the concert lover, options include all Park General Access (which includes the Navistar Main Stage concerts and South Park), Standing Room Only, Skybox, VIP and various combination ticket packs.  Every type of ticket is still available although on several days, Skybox ticket supply is very low.
The cost effective South Park ticket option does not include access to the Navistar Main Stage music venue. South Park will feature local talent on the South Stage, and host the carnival, family area, and rib vendors, for a low daily admission fee of $5 for ages 12 and older.  Children 11 and under are free South Park General Admission every day.  On July 4^th, South Park admission is free after 5 pm. Veterans are admitted to the South Park for free all day on July 4^th.
Current Ribfest 2018 Grand Sponsors are ABC7, Navistar, Meijer, Jewel-Osco, Naperville Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank,
Great Lakes Coca – Cola, Sunbelt Rentals, Medical Risk Services, Inc.,
InnoDATAve Solutions, Nathan’s Famous Beef Franks, Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group, Guaranteed Rate, D & J Amusements, Miller Lite, Euclid Beverage, Chevrolet, Gnarly Head and Hollywood Casino.
Visit ribfest.net and follow us at facebook.com/ribfestnaperville/ for all the up to date news.
 
About Naperville’s Ribfest:
Mission-driven and volunteer run, the Exchange of Naperville’s Ribfest is a premier midwestern 4^th of July concert series and celebration.  In cooperation with its partners, the City of Naperville and the Naperville Park District, Ribfest, in its 31^th year, now draws more than 200,000 visitors annually.  Net proceeds from Ribfest directly support 50+ agencies that work tirelessly to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence in all forms.  To date, Exchange has donated over $16 million.
Agencies the Exchange Club supports include those who address daily challenges in the community:  hunger, families in crisis, homelessness, sexual assault, advocacy, housing, addiction, respite care for families of special need children, adult daycare, teen pregnancy support, to name just a few.   The Edward Care Center, Loaves and Fishes, Families Helping Families, Little Friends, Inc., and Project HELP, a nonprofit organization established by the Club in 1992 that supports whole family and parenting health, are among those receiving allocations from Ribfest 2017 proceeds.