Tethered balloons light up for a "balloon glow" during the opening night of the Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
If you're going to call your festival Eyes to the Skies, it always helps to feature something that, well, gets people to look to the sky.
In Lisle, that traditionally has meant morning and afternoon hot air balloon launches and plenty of fireworks.
But another part of that tradition has been the regular evening "balloon glows." The idea is that participating balloon pilots all fire up their burners at pretty much the same time and the balloons glow like beacons against the darkening sky.
The first "glow" of this year's Eyes was Friday night and, weather permitting, they'll continue at 8 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at the festival grounds in Community Park, 1825 Short St.
In addition to balloons and fireworks, the fest features music - including performances by Foghat and Cassadee Pope - a carnival, a craft fair, kids activities and more food than you can imagine.
Festival hours are noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more details, visit eyestotheskies.org.
Tethered balloons light up for a "balloon glow" during the opening night of the Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Sian Espana and Ivan Espana of the group Flippin, perform their aerial and spectacular routine during the opening night of the Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Jaime Campos, 14, of Aurora, center, looks for an opponent while playing Knockerball during the opening night of the Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Several participants add a twist while playing soccer in a Knockerball area during the opening night of the Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
A prawn style balloon shows its face during the opening night of the Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Suburban Cowboy performs during the opening night of the Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
The Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle begins its weekend celebration.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Fireworks light the opening night of the Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com