Ribfest too small for Knoch Park

We completely agree with your article, but it is unlikely anyone will listen. Most of the complaints about Ribfest could be corrected by finding a larger site. But...it is not the Naperville way to change even when there are good reasons to do so. Ribfest is not the problem - the location is! Good luck and thanks for having the courage to speak out.

First, the premise that Ribfest has to get bigger every year is indicative of Naper-think. Sometimes, staying the same size or decreasing the size to increase the customer experience is better. Unfortunately pride and greed (this year's Ribfest chairperson wants to outdo the previous year's chairperson) than make the event are a greater priority than being part of the general community.

Along with downsizing the event like Lisle has down with Eyes To The Skies, there have been discussions regarding other locations by the Exchange Club. One that would be conducive for easy access and away from the downtown area is Nike Park.

frontier park... feels more open out this way!!

I think this is an idea in the making. It's something that I have heard organizers have been discussing for two years now. Because some people left the exchange club in recent years, there has been some loose ends.

Excellent ideas so far.

Ribfest... Why not divide and conquer?

Maybe the answer is multiple sites, connected by regular shuttles. You could break out the sites by the groups they would tend to appeal to. One geared towards families, One towards young adults, one for the carnival rides. This would avoid putting too much pressure on any one neighborhood.

Just a thought.

Based upon today's Tribune article, Joliet.

How about the "wastelands of Fort Hill Dr. On the weekend, traffic out there is tolerable.

It needs to be in the downtown vicinity, I dont like the idea of taking it too far out...but why not spread it out more? The whole admission structure needs to change and spreading it out may bring new ideas. I know there are a ton of hurdles (roads, traffic), but why not use the hill by the millenium carillion for the big concerts - throw some vendors over there as well. Maybe you detour Aurora Ave at West and leave that road oopen for people to flow back and forth from Knoch Park and The Hill/Riverwalk area.

The fact that the fest had to stop admitting people because its too packed is a shame...also, more vendors are needed, as 30 - 45 minute waits keep me away.

Unfortunately, I didn't attend this year, but from my neighbors comments.. I didn't miss much except they felt like they were at disneyline. Stand and wait.. stand and wait. Almost like Washington avenue driving.. except that's sitting!! doesn't sound like much fun to me. You are correct when you say that "growth" is the naper-way. Someone in city government is trying to make up for something small elsewhere. SO ruining a good thing. as is the case with the whole city of naperville.

Nike Park and Frontier Park do not have the nearby parking facilites to rival downtown. It seems congested downtown but there is a ton of parking in this congested area. Keep in mind the city is building 3 new parking decks in the next year or two and one of those 3 already has the shell up. Of course there will be a major battle to stop the library deck which I believe is not needed!

Where are the parking garages at NP or FP to support the massive amount of humanity that attends these events. The only extra parking would be on the grass area. That would destroy the grass area. Who is going to pay to have it seeded and sodded again? The Naperville Taxpayer!

I think downtown is fine but the charity event needs to be downsized instead of upsized. Why waste money advertising since the over capacity can not be accomodated anyway!

Just take what comes without advertising! There will be more to donate to charity without all that advertising reaching all corners of Chicagoland!!!