The Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper sponsored the first Mike Royko Ribfest at Grant Park in 1982. Scores of rib aficionados rolled up with their appetites, charcoal grills and massive quantities of all manners of ribs. Some of the judges included Mike Royko, Sam Sianis of the Billy Goat Tavern, Walter Jacobson and many more. I brought my camera to capture the smoking and grilling techniques and the overall fun of the afternoon. Included in the fun was a stage featuring Blues Legends such as Buddy Guy & Junior Wells as well as the Lonnie Brooks Blues Band.
After the film and prints were processed, I mailed the photos to Mike Royko's office and was told over the phone that they were not interested in the photos. Works for me, I still have the original photos from that delicious day of smells from the first ever Mike Royko Ribfest!
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/10/12/roykos-ribfest/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/10/14/column-did-mike-royko-make-the-greatest-ribs-chicago-has-ever-known-no-but-he-did-make-the-greatest-ribfest/
© Diane Alexander White PHOTOGRAPHY
