Hundreds expected at Lysacek Day rally in Naperville
Hundreds of fans are expected at a rally Friday to welcome home Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek as the figure skater returns to Naperville.
The public Evan Lysacek Day festivities begin at 3:45 p.m. Friday at Rotary Hill along Naperville's downtown Riverwalk near Aurora Avenue.
Dolly McCarthy from Naperville Community Television will emcee the event and Mayor George Pradel will present Lysacek with a key to the city. The skater also will address the crowd and carillonneurs will play music from Lysacek's Olympic programs.
Lysacek's "Dancing With The Stars" partner, Anna Trebunskaya also may make an appearance.
"I am really proud of how the Naperville community has come together to honor Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek and we're so happy for him and his family," said Nadja Lalvani, community relations manager for Naperville.
"I think Evan is a great role model for all the kids in Naperville and around the world and it's such a really powerful message if you really have a dream and work very hard and make sacrifices along the way and focus and dedicate yourself, dreams can come true. Evan is living proof of that."
Parking for the rally will be available across the street at Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave.; at the municipal center, 400 S. Eagle St.; or Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave.
In the case of inclement weather, the rally will be moved to Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. An announcement will be made on the city's Web site at naperville.il.us if the event is moved indoors.
In addition to Friday's rally, Lysacek will appear at a private event at his alma mater, Neuqua Valley High School, a Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon at White Eagle Golf Club, 3400 Club Drive, and at a fundraiser for the Stephanie Joseph Memorial Fund at 5 p.m. at Rosebud Italian Specialties and Pizzeria, 48 Chicago Ave.
Tickets for the luncheon and fundraiser are $25 for each event.
The events were coordinated by Veronica Porter of Porter Presentations and funded by private sponsors.