Ribfest vendors were never shy about promoting their food or awards at Naperville’s RibFest. (Ribfest photo)

Ribfest has officially called it quits after 35 years of eats and entertainment.

The longtime food and music mainstay in Naperville and environs officially ended with a July 30 Facebook announcement by the Exchange Club of Naperville, the event’s founder and sponsor.

“It is with great sadness that we will not be able to continue on with Ribfest in the future,” the club said.

Emy Trotz, a club official, separately told the Daily Herald that the Exchange Club will also be dissolved.

Ribfest was staged for most years as a July 4 fixture at Naperville’s Knoch Park, attracting thousands of visitors for food and entertainment.

Over the years the club said the event raised $22 million to combat child abuse and domestic violence and to support families.

“We have given to over 75 local agencies, including our own Strong Families program, previously known as Project Help,” according to the statement, which was no longer available on Aug. 1. “We have made a huge impact for families and children in our community, reaching new levels of fundraising every year. This was in part due to the huge success of Ribfest.”

A scheduled moved to Romeoville for 2020 was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 event was also canceled. A smaller version of Ribfest returned in 2022 for a Father’s Day event at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. What turned out to be the final Ribfest was held in Wheaton in September 2023.

“As our lease expired in Naperville, there was not another location in town that we were offered that could hold the event,” the club said. “COVID came and we were not able to host the event for two years. We found a new location in Wheaton at the county fairgrounds but the costs of the event post-COVID were very high and we were not able to generate enough income to be profitable.”

The handwriting was on the wall earlier this year when organizers announced there would be no 2024 event.

At the peak of popularity, Ribfest drew more than 200,000 visitors as well as more than 20 rib vendors. But by 2023, the number of food entries dropped to just seven.

Ribfest was also know for music acts, with featured artists like Sheryl Crow, Heart, Hootie & the Blowfish, Billy Idol, Los Lobos, REO Speedwagon and Steven Tyler.

Despite the shutdown, Ribfest officials say their legacy is secure.

“We can be proud of the years of service we have given to our town and families,” the statement said. “Our impact will live on in our community because of our years of dedication and service to our community.”