Relief From Heat Swells Saturday Ribfest Crowd

Attendance swelled at the Lake in the Hills Rotary Rockin Ribfest Saturday after a long-awaited cold front dropped temps enough so it was only the meat that was sizzling, not the customers.

Chicago readings failed to crack the century mark ending a string of 100-degree-or-worse days that had tied the record, but Rockford rocketed to 104 before the front came through at about 3 pm dropping temps 10 degrees in the next hour.

Cool dry air's expected to remain in the area until late in the week with highs in the mid-80's and lows in low 60's or even high 50's.  However, National Weather Service forecasters report, "The prospects of any rainfall in the extended outlook look low."

Today's the final day for Rockin Ribfest 2012.  Saturday The People's Choice Award Saturday for the best ribs or 'cue went to griller Armadillo's out of Atlanta/Youngstown for the fifth time in seven years.  Owner Cliff Mortensen said he wasn't sure why folks around here like his food so much but he was surely glad they did.