Ribfest Chicago celebrates its fifteenth anniversary this year and we couldn?t be more excited. From humble beginnings in a local parking lot, Ribfest relocated to Lincoln Avenue and eventually grew from three blocks to five blocks, from a two-day event to a three-night party, and from 5,000 attendees to 55,000 fans. The BBQ component has grown from five local restaurants to fifteen rib vendors and fifteen non-rib vendors, while the quality of live entertainment has made Ribfest Chicago a nationally-recognized music festival that hosts top local and touring bands. Music, BBQ, Chicago and family fun in the summer doesn?t get any better. Highlights of the event include our celebrity-judged ?Best Ribs? award, the amateur rib-eating competition and our professional rib-eating competition. It's no wonder that Ribfest Chicago is annually ranked highest in the Chicago Reader's poll for Best Food Fest. WHAT: Ribfest Chicago returns with more smokin? music and barbecue as we cook up some new twists for Chicago's favorite festival, which will take place: Friday, June 7, 2013 - 5 pm to 10 pm Saturday, June 8, 2013 - Noon to 10 pm Sunday, June 9, 2013 - Noon to 10 pm A nationally recognized music festival, our twenty bands are a hot blend of Indie, pop, indie roots and alt country for one of the most unique lineups in the city. The 4th Annual RibMania features 10 top-ranked professional eaters at the Midwest's only sanctioned rib-eating contest on Friday night, and families can spend the weekend in Kids Square enjoying entertainment, inflatables, games and more. Ribfest Chicago has contributed nearly $200,000 to Northcenter schools and nonprofits in addition to funding chamber projects and annual programming. $5 Donation requested. Sponsored by the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce. WHERE: Northcenter neighborhood on Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park Road (4000N-2000W) and Berteau Avenue (4185N-2100W). CTA Bus 11, 50, 80 stop at Damen/Irving Park Rd. El: Brown Line to Irving Park. WHEN: Friday, June 7, 2013 - 5 pm to 10 pm Saturday, June 8, 2013 - Noon to 10 pm Sunday, June 9, 2013 - Noon to 10 pm Kids Square open Saturday ? Noon to 8 pm, & Sunday ? Noon to 7 pm WHY: Proceeds benefit Northcenter Chamber initiatives, annual community programming, greening and beautification efforts, the School Grant Program and charitable funding approved by the Chamber Philanthropy Committee. For more information, visit www.Ribfest-Chicago.com or call the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce at 773.525.3609. Founded in 1946, the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce is a community and business development organization on Chicago's North Side. By promoting and supporting commercial, professional, financial and non-profit enterprises, its members are dedicated to making Northcenter a great place to live, shop and grow. The Northcenter Chamber's highly anticipated and attended community events, such as Ribfest Chicago, make it one of Chicago's premier neighborhood organizations. For more information about the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, visit www.northcenterchamber.com.