Belly up to the BBQ
The village of Forest Park hosts Ribfest 2019 on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Forest Park Picnic Grove, 7824 Madison St.
Bring the family and enjoy samplings from the competitors (small fee), and other treat like fried Snickers and Milky Ways, loaded baked potatoes, roasted corn, hot dogs, burgers, Robinson’s Ribs, Chase root beer, and more, including a beer, wine and vodka tent.
Live entertainment starts at 1 p.m. with the Latin soul/pop of Caliente, followed at 3:15 p.m. by Everette Dean & the Lonesome Hearts (Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison); at 6:30 p.m. by the Motown and R&B sounds of R-Gang; and at 8:45 p.m. by the disco/dance music of The Shagadelics.
And, of course, cheer on your favorite lords of pork, competing for one of three cash prizes and bragging rights of best ribs around.
For more info, call 708-771-7737.
Walk this way
The Animal Care League invites all dogs and their owners to their Mutt Strut 5K Run/Walk to benefit homeless animals on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at Maple Park, 1105 S. Maple Ave. in Oak Park.
The registration fee for runners/walkers is $40 ($25 for kids 6-12) and dogs can register for free. The first 150 dogs get a free dog bandanna.
Participants get a Mutt Strut T-shirt and a reusable tote bag with giveaways. Awards for the top male and female runners. Stay after the race for an after party with food, music, lawn games, contests, and giveaways.
Register by visiting animalcareleague.org and following the link on the home page.
Cemetery scavenger hunt
The Historical Society of Forest Park hosts a Cemetery Scavenger Hunt on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the Haymarket Martyrs’ monument at Forest Home Cemetery, 863 Desplaines Ave. in Forest Park.
This year there are two scavenger hunt options, one with a limited search area geared more for kids and another that will take in the entire cemetery (bring a bike or car). Take a picture with each item and show it to a volunteer to receive a stamp. Those with completed scavenger books will receive a prize.
Tickets are $8 at bit.ly/2Zn2obH.
Meet the press
Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 Madison St. in Forest Park, invites you to a session with some sage reporters from the Chicago Tribune, talking about their life and times working for the World’s Greatest Newspaper.
Speakers include Jim Elesner, Bob Goldsborough, Mike Conklin and possibly others. The event takes place Sunday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Library programs forge on
Despite much of the Forest Park Public Library being closed while renovations are completed, its programming continues offsite.
For kids, there’s Storytime Open House on Sept. 6 at 10:30 a.m.; Babybugs Lapsit Storytime at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 10; Toddler Storytime on at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 10; and Hello Amigos! Storytime on at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 11. All storytime programs will be at the Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd.
For adults, there’s Device Advice on Sept. 10 at 11 a.m., also at the Howard Mohr Community Center.
