LAKE IN THE HILLS – The annual Rockin’ Ribfest got off to a slow start this year with temperatures stuck above 100 degrees. But when the heat broke, the community’s collective appetite picked up.

Once the temperature started to fall Saturday afternoon, hundreds flocked to Sunset Park in Lake in the Hills for live music, games and barbecue-slathered meat.

Like many others, Gary Malek of McHenry came for the ribs. After a trip to North Carolina two months ago, his taste buds were primed for barbecue. His favorite was Texas Outlaw BBQ, one of the eight ribbers from the National Barbecue Cookers Association that attended the festival.