Summer's Last Fling starts Friday in Naperville
The signs are up, the stage is rigged, the booths for businesses and food vendors and beer sales are in place, and it's time for the Last Fling to begin in downtown Naperville.
The four-day festival, sponsored by the Naperville Jaycees, opens at 5 p.m. Friday with a carnival along Jackson Avenue and runs through Labor Day at several locations in the city's downtown. It runs 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.
Festivities include concerts by 23 musical performers, five food-related contests, three unusual races, activities for dogs and their owners, a dunk tank where a good toss can soak a community leader, a Labor Day parade, a milelong race and a large family area at Naper Settlement.
Last Fling Coordinator Chad Pedigo said organizers this year dodged raindrops as they prepared for the festival.
He said the main stage at the foot of Rotary Hill, where bands such as O.A.R., Vertical Horizon and Smash Mouth will perform Saturday and Sunday, was set up earlier than planned to ensure it would be ready in time. Organizers are crossing their fingers and toes for a weekend without rain, Pedigo said.
Many aspects of the Last Fling are free, but tickets starting at $10 are required for most concerts. For details, visit lastfling.org.