The Northfield State Fair has evolved over at least 30 years, from a few families with a few grills cooking ribs in the park to their largest annual community event, said Bill Byron, superintendent of Northfield Park District.
Now drawing thousands, Byron said the event is more ribfest than state fair, and gathers area families in Clarkson Park for grilling and picnicking, while the park district provides live music, food and drinks, entertainment for the kids, fireworks, a ribfest and a pie baking contest.
“While the event is not a fundraiser, its purpose and reward is to see residents enjoying the park, spending time with family and community,” Bryon said.
Rob and Katie Dicke of Northfield attended Saturday with friends and family to celebrate the 2nd birthday of their daughter Caroline.
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“This is our third year at the state fair,” Katie Dicke said. “The first year we had one grill and two chairs, and this year we will have a party of about 40.”
Concessions at the Cavallari Pavilion included Hofherr Meat Co. ribs, Taco Nano tacos, and hot dogs and pizza from the Northfield Lions Club. Beer and wine was also available for sale.
Live music performances included headliners Panic at the Costco and Dick Holliday and the Bamboo Gang.
Kid’s entertainment included inflatables, a D.J. and a bingo tournament inside Clarkson Lodge.
Andy Olcott of Glenview entered his sack apple pie in the contest and won first place. Olcott described his creation as an apple pie with a streusel topping, baked in a brown paper bag.
Matt Barton of Northfield took first place for his rib recipe.
Local grillers and bakers were invited to enter the Steve Soler Northfield Ribfest and Pie Baking contests for a $10 entry feel.
Steve Soler, a champion of the Northfield community, ribfest judge and past ribfest winner, lost his battle with cancer in February 2018, according to organizers. He was honored during this year’s event.
“My dad would have wanted us to be out here today carrying out our family tradition of ribfest,” Annie Rose Soler said, “we needed to do it and he would have wanted us to.”
