Naperville Rib Fest and Summer Food Safety Tips

The 4th of July weekend brings us the Naperville Rib Fest and many opportunities to eat outdoors at summer festivals and family picnics. The Naperville Rib Fest features hot BBQ ribs, and fireworks, and live music that will bring you back to the 1980s. The Naperville Rib Fest runs from July 3, 2008, through Sunday, July 6th, 2008.

Naperville Rib Fest

Highlights of the Naperville Rib Fest include ribs, and an appearance by REO Speedwagon. Also performing at the 2008 Naperville Rib Fest will be Ted Nugent, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Trace Adkins, and others.

Hours for the Naperville Rib Festa are noon until 10:00 p.m.Children 12 and up, and adults pay a $10 admission charge to attend the Naperville Rib Fest. Children 11 and under can enter Naperville Rib Fest for free. On July 4, the gates open to the public a 8pm for the fireworks show, at 9:30pm.

In addition to BBQ ribs, the Naperville Rib Fest serves up beer, desserts, and other food entrees.

Naperville Rib Fest takes place in Knoch Park, Naperville Illinois. The Naperville Rib Fest is a rain or shine event. Be advised that due to safety reasons, the Naperville Rib Fest does limit the number of people that can be on the grounds at one time. Go to Naperville Rib Fest early.

Save money on gas and help alleviate the parking problem by carpooling with friends to the Naperville Rib Fest early. The Naperville Rib Fest folks suggest that Naperville Rib Fest attendees park in one of the remote parking lots and take a shuttle buss to to the event.

Summer Food Festival Safety Tips

1. Trust your Senses

If you purchase a food item from a booth at a summer food festival and you notice an odd smell before you bite into it, don't eat it. Trust that you know how certain foods should smell - whether it's hummus or potato salad.

It's also a good idea to return to the booth and discreetly let the food vendors know that the particular food item may not be safe to serve.

Some food, after it has started to turn from being in the sun too long, may not take on a negative aroma. Some food, including foods with mayonnaise, beans or fruit may taste "fuzzy" in your mouth. There is no other way to describe it. If this happens, do not eat the rest of the food.

Your eyes can also tell you what you need to know about eating food at outdoor summer food festivals. When side dishes have a hard caking on top, or are runny, they may have been sitting too long.

2. Avoid Recently Recalled Products

Avoid purchasing food at an outdoor food festival vendor that includes a recently recalled food, whether it's beef, tomatoes, or spinach. There is no way to know the origin of the food, and it's better to skip past the vendor to another summer food festival vendor.

3. Cooked Thoroughly

Protein foods need to be cooked thoroughly. Never eat any chicken thigh or wing which has pink meat in it. Also tend to go for red meats which are cooked more thoroughly than you would normally have them.

Fish at outdoor summer food festival events should also be enjoyed cooked, and not raw.

4. Hot is Hot and Cold is Cold

When you purchase food from a summer festival vendor, the hot food should be hot and the cold food should be cold. Food which is room or air temperature has been sitting and may not be safe to eat.

5. Look for Clean Habits

Always purchase menu items from the summer festival vendor's with the cleanest booths and work stations. A vendor who provides you napkins and hand sanitizer is one that is aware of clean hands and safety. Opt for the vendor wearing gloves, or washing hands frequently

6. Worth the Wait

It may be worth it to wait for the busy summer festival vendor who has a line and is cooking each dish fresh. The short lines may have the food that has been sitting for a while, and you may regret the decision to choose a food based on a shorter line, tomorrow.

7. Pack a Snack

Pack a snack or two like apples or non-perishable sandwiches. When you have your own healthy snacks with you, you will be less likely to settle for a summer festival meal that may leave you unsettled.

8. Trust Your Instincts

As with other forms of personal safety, always trust your instincts. If something doesn't seem right about the food or the booth, pass it up for another.

Sources

Food Safety & Inspection Service, "Seasonal Food Safety," http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Seasonal_Food_Safety_Fact_Sheets/index.asp
Naperville Ribfest, http://www.ribfest.net/index.php?page=overview-of-events
Personal Experience Working with Food
U.S. FDA, "Outdoor Eating Food Safety Tips," http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fssummer.html