Inclement Weather Temporarily Closes Naperville Ribfest For Second Consecutive Day
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The storm caused Naperville's Ribfest to shut down for the second day in a row.
Organizers just shut down the fest for the fourth time just before 5 o'clock Thursday night, as a storm with significant lightning is forecasted to head that direction within the next half hour. It should reopen around 6:15 p.m.
Fireworks are scheduled to go off around 10 p.m. following Pitbull's performance.
Challenges. We've had a few. Planning on a park re-open tonight. Thank you for sticking by us. To thank you, we're rolling back pricing on all park general access (includes concerts) for Friday and Saturday. See new prices here: https://t.co/6mcx2NAqta
— Ribfest-Naperville (@NaperRibfest) July 5, 2018
CBS 2's Lauren Victory reports event-goers are hoping the weather holds off for the fireworks show scheduled for Thursday night.
Powerful storms sidelined the city's giant Ribfest again Thursday afternoon. The decades-old tradition was left with twisted tents, turned over tables, and a ghost town on the grounds.
Yep, #NapervilleRibfest SHUTDOWN for 4th time in 2 days. What #badluck. People evacuated just before 5pm. On-site meteorologist predicts #storm with heavy #electricity to hit #NapervilleIL soon. Organizers hope to return-open by 6:15; no more interruptions expected! @NaperRibfest pic.twitter.com/YEU6UTaIE1
— LAUREN VICTORY (@LaurenVictory) July 5, 2018
Ribfest attendee Kathy Reinert was in shock upon seeing the storm damage.
"Oh my God! I didn't know it was that bad because we were in the shelter," she said.
#BREAKING: Bad #storm that swept through #Naperville within last hour decimated some tents at #NapervilleRibfest. @NaperRibfest is closed until further notice. #napervilleIL #NapervilleIllinois #Ribfest #Naperville @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/9nZfCxYheX
— LAUREN VICTORY (@LaurenVictory) July 5, 2018
Kathy and her daughter, Calee, were among hundreds of others that were evacuated.
This was the fourth time this week that rib lovers had to put down their meat and run for cover.
Naperville Ribfest Chairman Joel Carlsen said, "If we see a storm within 5 to 7 miles, we know it's time to move."
With first responders standing by, some first aid was offered before hungry guests were allowed to return.
#Naperville #Ribfest is closed AGAIN. Third time in 2 days that @NaperRibfest is hit with heavy rains, thunderstorms. Organizers hope to re-open soon. Video is storm in #Naperville on way to the park. @cbschicago #chicagowx #napervilleIL #chicagoland #ChicagoWX #chicagoweather pic.twitter.com/cfJGheT2XB
— LAUREN VICTORY (@LaurenVictory) July 5, 2018
Sgt. Oinks BBQ Co. Co-owner Teresa Stephens said, "Well we had a big gust of wind come through, basically picked up the table, the pig and all because he is strapped on, blew him upside down and ripped his head open."
Sgt. Oinks was saved, but the weather did hit wallets.
"We've lost a lot of money, but again, safety's first. What do you do?" said Stephens.
Gary Stephens, a Ribfest vendor, says after four weather evacuations in two days, business is suffering.
"30% or so is what we're down, but we do have the capability, if people are here, to make a good percentage of it up," said Stephens.
"What we've decided to do is lower our ticket prices for Friday and saturday's admission," explained Carlsen, hoping the lower ticket prices will draw more visitors to offset losses.
Organizers say they take weather very seriously and operate an emergency center nearby, which is staffed with police, fire, and a retired meteorologist.
CBS 2's Lauren Victory and Jeremy Ross contributed to this story.
