Lisle's Eyes to the Skies festival opens for three-day run

The giant, colorful hot-air balloons are always the main attraction at Lisle's Eyes to the Skies festival, but there's also plenty of stuff to do for those who prefer keeping their gaze closer to the ground.

On Friday, opening day of the three-day celebration in Community Park, kids tried out the carnival rides and their luck at games, while food vendors sold everything from turkey legs to pierogies to Greek cuisine, with plenty of Italian ice to wash it down.

Face painters and temporary tattoo artists showed off their skills, drawing intricate designs. And a stand featuring a cooking demonstration was set up next to a variety of other booths selling licorice, clothes, purses and baked goods.

Fran Bialek of Lemont was in the children's area, watching her 4-year-old grandson, Ryland, climb on the bouncy slides and rides.

Ryland was a bit disappointed he didn't get to see the balloons right away — his mom and grandmother didn't realize the initial launch started at 6 a.m. — but the family made plans to see the evening launch.

“He actually wants to try (riding) one tonight,” Bialek said. “If his mom or dad do it with him, I think he will.”

Paul and Linda Bergin, on the other hand, were at the park near Route 53 and Short Street in time to see the balloons Friday morning, but neither tried going up in one.

Paul Bergin said he'd be willing, but his wife has a fear of heights, so they stay grounded.

When their sons were younger, the Bergins, Lisle residents of 23 years, would come to Eyes in the Skies to take them to the carnival, check out the crafts, the food tents and the music shows, along with the balloons.

Now that their sons have grown and are too busy to come to the festival, the Bergins can focus more on the balloons.

“The balloon glow is cool, when they have all of them lit up,” Linda said.

Sue Rotunno of Lisle came to the Balloon Field a few hours before the evening launch to secure a spot where she and friends from California could see the balloons.

“I set up early every year,” she said. “I know how crowded it gets.”

Like the Bergins, Rotunno got up early to see the morning launch, but only two or three balloons actually flew because of the wind.

Jennifer Aguirre-Olson, who has been an Eyes to the Skies volunteer for four years, says the festival continues to get bigger.

A lot more family activities have been added, she said, and the music is great.

But as much as she enjoys the balloons, she's perfectly content to keep both feet on the ground.

“I am very against heights,” she said. “I'm more of an on the ground kind of girl.”

Eyes will continue from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For details, visit eyestotheskies.org.