Lisle's Eyes to the Skies festival looks to bounce back from financial woes

Posted June 30, 2009 11:00 pm

By Justin Kmitch

Lisle's 29th annual Eyes to the Skies Festival may be under new management, but organizers still promise to have all the hot-air balloons and lumberjack races you've grown to love.

The full festival will run for three days - one day shorter than in the past - from Thursday through Saturday at Community Park, Route 53 and Short Street. The Eyes carnival, however, opens today and runs through Sunday.

After some past financial problems that led to previous organizers declaring bankruptcy, the festival is being restructured as a charity event benefiting the local Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs among others. Adult admission has been dropped to $3.

"We're rolling out our own festival stimulus package with lower prices, and free admission for children under 5," said Eyes to the Skies committee member and director of the Lisle Convention and Visitors Bureau Priscilla Tomei. "And on July 4 Lisle residents are free before 5 p.m. and active military and veterans, with proof, are admitted free all day."

Despite the lower price, the festival still will include a carnival, magic show, craft fair, art tent, petting zoo, food court, Radio Disney, lumberjack show, martial art demonstrations, musical entertainment, balloon launches and fireworks.

"If you enjoyed the fest in the past, I think you'll love it this year," Tomei said. "You're supporting a charity and attending a great family event, all in one."

She said a dozen hot-air balloons are expected at the festival, including Serena's Song, which offers free tethered rides for individuals with disabilities.

The early carnival opens today and a $20 all-you-can-ride ticket is available from 5 to 11 p.m.

The festival officially opens at 3 p.m. Thursday with two lumberjack shows at 4 and 6 p.m. and a balloon launch at 6:30 p.m.

Fireworks are at 9:45 p.m. all three days of the festival. Tomei said the July 4 display will have a patriotic theme and be set to music.

"Everything is gearing up wonderfully" Tomei said. "Even the weather forecast looks to be on our side this year."

A complete schedule and map is available at the event's new Web site: eyestotheskies.org.

A dozen or so hot-air balloons will be on hand for this weekend's Eyes to the Skies festival in Lisle. Daily Herald file photo

Lisle Eyes to the Skies Opens with carnival from 5 to 11 p.m. today and closes with carnival from noon to 7 p.m. July 5 at Community Park near Route 53 and Short Street. In between is three-day fest that runs 3-11 p.m. July 2 and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and 4. Festival cost: $3. Proceeds benefit area civic groups. Info: <a href="http://www.eyestotheskies.org" target="new">www.eyestotheskies.org</a>. JULY 1 5-11 p.m. Carnival open JULY 2 3-11 p.m. Festival open 3-11 p.m. Wilsons Family Show Carnival 3-11 p.m. Food Court 4 p.m. Hannah Ford 4 and 6 p.m. All American Lumberjack Show 5 p.m. Rock Band Karaoke 6 p.m. Dot Dot Dot 6:30 p.m. Balloon launch 7 p.m. Breakfast Club 8 p.m. American English 9 p.m. Mike & Joe 9:45 p.m. Fireworks. JULY 3 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Festival open 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Balloon launches 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wilsons Family Show Carnival 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Craft fair 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Picnic games, face painting, crafts, coloring 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Art room tent (crafts with small fee) 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Brookfield Zoo educational/ interactive booth 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sweet & Sassy girl makeover (free) 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Miller Petting Zoo 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. United Martial Arts School info booth 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Premier Gymnastics Academy booth 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food Court Noon All American Lumberjack Show Noon- 3 p.m. Gene Diaz, professional face painter 12:30-2 p.m. Radio Disney Party Patrol interactive music 1:30 p.m. Premier Gymnastics Academy demo/instruction All American 2 p.m. Lumberjack Show 3 p.m. Trash Martini 2:30 p.m. Magic by Randy 3:30 p.m. United Martial Arts and Qi Gong demo 4 p.m. Dickie Pimpkins 4 p.m. All American Lumberjack Show 5 p.m. FNR 6 p.m. All American Lumberjack Show 6:30 p.m. Balloon launch 7 p.m. Rock Candy 8 p.m. Sixteen Candles 8:15 p.m. Balloon Glow 9 p.m. Maggie Speaks 9:45 p.m. Fireworks JULY 4 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Festival open 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Balloon launches 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wilsons Family Show Carnival 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Craft fair 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Picnic games, face painting, crafts, coloring 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Art room tent (crafts with small fee) 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Brookfield Zoo educational/ interactive booth 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sweet & Sassy girl makeover (free) 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Miller Petting Zoo 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. United Martial Arts School info booth 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Premier Gymnastics Academy booth 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food Court Noon All American Lumberjack Show 1 p.m. Brilliance 1 p.m. United Martial Arts and Qi Gong demo 2 p.m. All American Lumberjack Show 3 p.m. Lisle 4th of July Parade on Short Street 3 p.m. Audio Fracture 4 p.m. All American Lumberjack Show 4:30 p.m. Magic by Randy 5 p.m. AVM 5 p.m. Cat Fight 6 p.m. All American Lumberjack Show 6:30 p.m. Balloon launch 7 p.m. Hey Jimmy 7:30 p.m. Chicago Gold Revue with Cryan Shames 8:15 p.m. Balloon Glow 9 p.m. Too White Crew 9:45 p.m. Fireworks JULY 5 Noon-7 p.m. Carnival open

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