Jaycees set stage for Fling fun in Naperville
The stage is set for the final festival of summer in Naperville.
No, literally - the main stage at Rotary Hill is set to host 14 performances over four days as the 51st annual Last Fling celebration begins Friday.
The celebration, sponsored by the Naperville Jaycees, starts at 5 p.m. when the carnival opens along Jackson Avenue. Not long after, the hill at 440 Aurora Ave. opens its gates at 5:30 p.m. for a free night of tribute bands from the 1970s and '80s. The event also includes a family fun area, a business expo, games, contests, races and a Labor Day parade.
"From the entertainment that we have on two of our stages, to the Family Fun Land that we have at Naper Settlement, to the business expo, to the carnival that's going to be going on all weekend," said Jaycees member Danielle Tufano, taking a breath from listing all of the festival's activities, "there's definitely something for everyone."
But back to the music.
One of These Nights, an Eagles tribute band, will start off the Fling's musical performances with a show at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Foreigners Journey, an '80s tribute band covering Foreigner and Journey, takes the headlining spot at 8:30 p.m. Other headliners include the BoDeans at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sugar Ray at 9:15 p.m. Sunday, and Jamey Johnson at 6 p.m. Monday.
Last Fling Executive Director and Jaycees member Karen Coleman said general admission tickets remain for concerts on all four days of the event. Tickets will be sold online at lastfling.org until an hour before each show, when they'll switch to being available only at the gate.
Before coming to the Fling, Coleman advises checking the website for remote parking shuttle schedules and road closures, especially on Monday morning when North Central College is hosting a women's collegiate triathlon qualifier beginning at 6:45 a.m. at Centennial Beach.
Otherwise, the forecast looks pleasant and organizers say they're thrilled to be launching another year of raising money to distribute to community charities.
"We're due for a good weather weekend," Coleman said.