Fling organizers say weekend could be record

The Fling has flung.

Four days of Naperville's final summer soiree went off without many hiccups -- except from the competitors at the pie-eating and spaghetti-eating contests at this year's Last Fling.

Police reported no arrests related to the event, and organizers from the Naperville Jaycees said they think this was one of their better years, if not a record.

With the weather cooperating all four days, crowds were steady but not overwhelming, city officials said.

Police said the crowds appeared smaller than previous years. And while 10,000 people showed up for Sunday's headlining musical act, Cheap Trick, the concert was not sold out, said Marie deGroh, this year's executive director.

"We're always very careful about how many tickets we sell," she said. "We filled Rotary Hill, but didn't sell out. They did put on a great show."

Organizers estimate more than 200,000 people attend Last Fling every year.

Cmdr. Dave Hoffman said police supervising security reported larger numbers of vehicles being towed from the downtown area than in previous years. He wasn't aware of any changes to parking procedures.

"We also had a report of a fight, but by the time we got there our officers couldn't find it," he said.

The annual Labor Day weekend blowout raises money for dozens of local charities. According to the Jaycees' Web site, the group raises more than $100,000 each year, mostly from Last Fling.