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Lisle's Eyes to the Skies is ready to fly

Hot-air balloons are always the highlight of Lisle's Eyes to the Skies festival, but some of this year's food options are almost as colorful.

When the fest opens on Thursday, July 2, visitors will be able to sample a variety of fried treats that include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Twinkies and Oreos.

The 33rd annual festival, which requires more than 300 volunteers and pulls in more than 150,000 attendees, will run through July 4 in Lisle Community Park.

“We're just praying for good weather and looking forward to seeing people enjoying themselves and the money generated for charity,” said Mike Shuta, who has headed the Eyes organizing committee for the past six years.

Last year, $115,000 was presented to affiliate charities.

The committee focuses on tradition but also strives to keep things fresh by offering new opportunities for families each year. Classic festival food will be featured, including plenty of barbecue, burgers and snacks on sticks.

The carnival, running two additional days with a plethora of scream-inducing rides, will have two wristband days: 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 5.

Shuta emphasized more attention directed toward the Children's Area this year including face painting, art activities and acrobatic shows. Salto Entertainment, a group from Florida, will be performing a stunt/acrobatic show called FLIPPIN' on the Children's Area stage.

On the festival's two music stages, 10,000 Maniacs, The Swon Brothers, American English, Wedding Banned, Too White Crew and 16 Candles will be headlining throughout the weekend for music lovers.

The more than 100-booth craft fair brings together local and national crafters to sell artwork, jewelry, clothing and more.

A fireworks show begins at 9:45 p.m. every night of the festival and will be accompanied by music on the Fourth.

July Fourth begins with a parade through downtown Lisle at 11 a.m. followed by the opportunity to tour a firetruck or walk the Museums at Lisle Station Park.

What really sets Eyes to the Skies apart from the dozens of suburban fests celebrating Independence Day, however, are the hot air balloons.

“It is a kaleidoscope of color when the balloon launches are happening, and there are so many families there spending quality time together,” Shuta said. “I think that's one of the most fulfilling things, just seeing the looks on their faces.”

The launches occur daily at 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and festivalgoers can catch a glimpse of what a balloon ride is like in a tethered ride at $15 for children and $20 for adults. One of those tethered-ride options is called “Serena's Song,” which is the nation's first wheelchair-accessible hot air balloon.

Hosting a festival for more than 100,000 people every year is difficult, but organizers say the end result makes everything worthwhile.

“I just enjoy the whole challenge of it from year to year; it's hard work. It takes a lot of coordination and effort, but we want to do something for the community,” Shuta said. “We're proud of it.”

  The carnival with Eyes to the Skies runs Wednesday to Sunday, July 1-5, with unlimited ride deals on the first and last days. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com, JULY 2012

Lisle's Eyes to the Skies Festival

<b>When:</b> Carnival Wednesday to Sunday, July 1-5; festival Thursday to Saturday, July 2-4

<b>Where:</b> Community Park, 5100 Riverview Drive, Lisle

<b>Cost:</b> $8 adults and children 7 and older, free for children 6 and younger

<b>Info:</b> <a href="http://www.eyestotheskies.org">eyestotheskies.org</a> or (630) 541-6095

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