Family activities at Naperville's Ribfest

The Fourth of July in Naperville means one thing, Ribfest. Naperville's Knoch Park is transformed into carnival rides, concert stages and lots of rib vendors.  From July 1 through July 4, the Naperville area will be celebrating this local tradition.

Ribfest wants families to have a great experience. The Navistar Family Area is full of fun, free family activities. Every day from noon till 8 pm, kids can enjoy inflatables, jousting, mechanical bull riding, big slide, euro bungee, petting zoo, and hands on activities tent.


Also, each day will feature special performances. Here is a list of each day's schedule:


July 1

• Forms in Motion Circus: 1:00, 2:00, 4:30
• Ballon Twister in Hands on Tent: Noon - 3:00
• Kid Bucks 3 Shows: 1:30, 3:45, 5:30
• Radio Disney: 2:30
• McNulty Irish Dancers: 4:15

July 2

• Forms in Motion Circus: 1:00, 2:30, 4:30
• Ballon Twister in Hands on Tent: Noon - 3:00
• Tim Balster 3 Sheer Magic Shows: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30
• "Cold Blooded Creatures" reptile show: 4:00

July 3

• Forms in Motion Circus: 1:00, 2:00, 4:30
• Musical Entertainment with Dave Rudolf: 1:30
• Balloon Twister in Hands on Tent: Noon - 3:00
• "Dora the Explorer" by Kidz Kabaret: 4:00
• Tim Balster 3 Sheer Magic Shows: 3:30, 5:30, 7:00

July 4

• Forms in Motion Circus: 1:00, 2:00, 4:30
• Balloon Twister in Hands on Tent: Noon - 3:00
• Kid Bucks 3 Shows: 1:30, 3:45, 5:30
• Radio Disney: 2:30-3:30
• "Cold Blooded Creatures" reptile show: 4:00

Tickets for Ribfest are $9 if purchased at Jewel Osco prior to July 1. At the gate, tickets are $12 per person. Specially marked Pepsi cans may be redeem at the gate for a $1 discount.

Ribfest is located in Knock Park in Naperville. Parking is limited. Shuttles at various parking lots is recommended.

Zhu Zhu Pets and Kung Zhu come to life at Naperville's Ribfest July 1 through July 4

We all know and love Zhu Zhu Pets and the new Kung Zhu hamsters. These cute little guys and girls hamsters play, laugh and giggle all day long. We watch them act silly and train for battle.

Do your kids wonder what it would be like to run the Kung Zhu training grounds or dance the Zhu Zhu dance?

Now they can. The Zhu-niverse tour will be making a stop at Naperville's Ribfest. Ribfest runs July 1 through July 4 at Knoch Park in Naperville, Illinois.

The Zhu-niverse area offers children a full sized interaction with Zhu Zhu pets and Kung Zhu. Kids can run the Kung Zhu training grounds, dance with Zhu Zhu pets and find their perfect Zhu Zhu pet for her. Whether your kids play with these hamsters or not, the Zhu-niverse Tour is a definite must stop at Ribfest.

In addition to Zhu-niverse, below is a list of family activities across the four days of Ribfest.

July 1:

* Circus: 12:30, 2:30, 4:30
* Balloon Twister in Hands on Tent: Noon - 3:00
* Kid Bucks: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30
* The School of Performing Art Dance Ensemble: 4:00-5:00

July 2:

* Circus: 12:30, 2:30, 4:30
* Balloon Twister in Hands on Tent: Noon - 3:00
* Sheer Magic Show!: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30
* Naperville Park District Dancers: 4:00-5:00

July 3

* Circus: 12:30, 2:30, 4:30
* Balloon Twister in Hands on Tent: Noon - 3:00
* Sheer Magic Shows: 3:30, 5:30, 7:00
* Interactive Children's Music with Dave Rudolf: 1:30 - 2:30
* The Scribble Monster!: 4:00 - 5:00

July 4

* Circus: 12:30, 2:30, 4:30
* Balloon Twister in Hands on Tent: Noon - 3:00
* Kid Bucks: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30

Ribfest of Naperville is located at Knoch Park. Admission is $12 per person. Children under 11 are free.

Parking:

* There is limited on-site parking, but shuttles are available at several local lots.
* Shuttles run starting at 11:30 until 10:30 on most days.
* Shuttles are available at the following locations Burlington/Kroehler Lot (after 6pm on July 1st and July 2nd), North Central College, Neuqua Valley H.S., Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary, and Naperville North High School - BEGINS AT 2PM ON JULY 1ST.

For additional information please see the Ribfest website.