Lake in the Hills Ribfest, McHenry Fiesta Days shut down Friday amid dangerous weather

The threat of dangerous weather prompted another day’s cancellation of theRockin’ Rotary Ribfest in Lake in the Hills.

McHenry’s Fiesta Days also evacuated festival goers from Petersen Park and canceled music performances planned for Friday.

Ribfest had been evacuated on its opening day Thursday because of a lightning storm that set several fires across McHenry County and caused other damage.

The festival was reopened Friday, but by 7:30 p.m. it was called off for a second day with yet another line of storms prompting a tornado watch until 11 p.m. Friday.

That system was due to bring “likely” thunderstorms Friday evening with risks of severe winds, hail and tornadoes, according to the NWS. Localized flash flooding is also a possibility with torrential rainfall rates above 2 inches per hour could be in the mix Friday night.

Conditions were expected to improve Saturday, with Ribfest due to continue from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, featuring ribs from around the country and a rib judging contest is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. Sunday.

Fiesta Days was also due to resume Saturday.