Lombard's annual Lilac Time celebrates spring

The lilacs are budding, the tulips are blooming and an 8-foot iron dragon tail lurks nearby.

Lombard's annual Lilac Time celebration showcases Lilacia Park's 1,200 lilacs and 25,000 tulips, but there's so much more to do after you stop and smell the flowers. You can:

• Run a 5K with your dog.

• Sample wine from Illinois, California and South Africa and champagne from Holland and Italy, surrounded by fragrant lilacs and beneath the stars.

• Try out your dance moves at a formal ball, take tea with a teddy bear and pig out on pancakes.

The two-week festival opens Saturday with the crowning of the 2009 Lilac Queen at 1 p.m. in Lilacia Park, 150 S. Park Ave., Lombard. The 2009 princesses are Elizabeth Bucko, Laura Edwards, Jaime Lemens, Maggie Leonard and Anna Rogalska. If it rains, the coronation moves to the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road.

The weather always adds an element of suspense to Lilac Time. The park district's Bloom-O-Meter is still set on beginning to bud, and the unseasonably cool temperatures earlier this week were a bit of a setback. But some early varieties - there are more than 200 different kinds of lilacs in Lilacia Park - are already in bloom.

"We're having more and more lilacs pop up," said Kathy McManis, marketing manager for the Lombard Park District. "I think we're right on schedule."

New this year is the DuPage Invitational Sculpture and 3D Art Show from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9. The show will feature 30 works by 13 local artists, including several students from Jackson Middle School in Villa Park.

Works range from tabletop pieces to large sculptures like artist Lars Eikens' 8-foot iron dragon tail and giant beetle. One of the most unusual promises to be "The Starfish Lady" by artist Theresa Lyon, which is made of paper mâche, glass, shells, beads, wood and starfish, on a ceramic base.

All the other traditional favorites - from the Lilac Time Mutt Strut 5K (which last year attracted 400 two-legged participants and who-knows-how-many dogs) to the beer tasting - are back, with one exception. The usually popular Mother's Day Brunch has been canceled because there weren't enough reservations, and park district officials wanted to give those who had reserved spots ample time to make other plans for treating Mom.

Other events include tours, concerts, a plant sale, an art and craft fair and activities for children. Admission to Lilacia Park is free, but there is a charge for many events.

It all wraps up on Sunday, May 17, when the Lilac Parade steps off at 1:30 p.m. from Glenbard East High School. This year's theme is "Books on Parade."

"I think it's going to be a great two-week festival," McManis said.

Lilac Time 2009

Lilac Time runs Friday to May 17 with events at Lilacia Park, 150 S. Park Ave., Lombard, unless noted. Registration is required for some events. For details or to register, visit lombardparks.com or call (630) 620-7322.

FRIDAY

6:30 p.m. Little Lady Lilac Ball, Lombard Community Center, 433 E. St. Charles Road; $11.50 for residents, $13.50 for others, $12 for a corsage

SATURDAY

1 p.m. Lilac Queen Coronation (moves to the community center in case of rain)

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour meets at the Victorian Cottage; $2

3 p.m. Concert in the Park: Salty Dogs

SUNDAY

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lilac Time Art and Craft Fair, downtown. Info: Lombard chamber, (630) 627-5040

Noon to 4 p.m. Lilac Café, Lombard Bible Church, 111 S. Park Ave. Info: (630) 629-0307

1 p.m. Concert in the Park: Grand Avenue Big Band

1:30-4:30 p.m. Tour of Maple Street Chapel, southwest corner of Maple and Main streets

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

MONDAY

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

TUESDAY

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

WEDNESDAY

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

4-5 p.m. Pastels in the Park - Sketching Tour for ages 8 and older; reservations required

THURSDAY

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

3-7 p.m. Lilacia Park Plant Sale, includes astilbe, black-eyed Susan, bleeding heart, coneflower

3-7:30 p.m. Lombard Garden Club Lilac Sale. Info: (630) 627-5108

MAY 8

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lombard Garden Club Lilac Sale

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lilacia Park Plant Sale

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

6:30 p.m. Lilac Ball at the Carlisle, reservations required. Info: Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce, (630) 627-5040

May 9

8 a.m. until gone Lilac Giveaway (coupon required). Info: (630) 620-5718

8 a.m. until sold out Lombard Garden Club Lilac Sale

8 a.m. until sold out Lilacia Park Plant Sale

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. DuPage Invitational Sculpture and 3D Art Show

1-3 p.m. Local musical entertainment

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

May 10

1 p.m. Concert in the Park: Bill O'Connell's Chicago Skyliners

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

3 p.m. Trolley Ride of Historic Homes. Info: Lombard Historical Society, (630) 629-1885

May 11

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

May 12

10 a.m. Family Storytime in the Park, meets at Library Plaza

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

May 13

10 a.m. Family Storytime in the Park

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

1 p.m. Old Fashioned Tea Party, light refreshments and musical entertainment for adults and seniors; reservations required

4-5 p.m. Pastels in the Park - Sketching Tour; reservations required

May 14

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

2 p.m. Teddy Bear Tea for children ages 21/2 to 6 with an adult and their teddy bears; reservations required

May 15

11 a.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

7-9 p.m. Beer tasting by Famous Liquors in Lombard; reservations required

May 16

8 a.m. Lilac Time Mutt Strut 5K & 1 Mile Puppy Path. Pre-register, or register at 7 a.m. race day. T-shirts and a pancake breakfast included

8:30-10:30 a.m. Lilac Pancake Breakfast; proceeds benefit the Lombard/Villa Park Food Pantry

1 p.m. Lombard Park District Performing Troupe

1-3 p.m. Kid's Day in Lilacia Park

2 p.m. Family entertainment

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour

5 p.m. Lilac Time Auction. Info: First Church of Lombard, (630) 629-2630.

7-9 p.m. Lilacia Park Wine Tasting with wine and champagne by Prairie and Vine in Villa Park

May 17

1:30 p.m. Lilac Parade. Theme: "Books on Parade." Info: Parade committee, (630) 415-2079

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