Lombard's annual Lilac Time begins Saturday

The weather isn't making it easy.

But there's no stopping the annual Lilac Time festival, a two-week event that celebrates the blooming of Lombard's favorite flower.

"When magnolias start to drop their leaves, the lilacs should bloom. That's an old wives' tale, but it's been true around here," said Kathy McManis, marketing manager with the Lombard Park District.

One problem.

Some of the magnolia flowers are dropping, but the lilacs aren't blooming.

"We get calls every day," McManis said.

The park district's Bloom-O-Meter is stuck on beginning to bud with no hope of getting to full bloom until the weather warms up.

But even without the fragrant lilacs, there's plenty to see in Lilaca Park, home to 1,200 lilac bushes and trees and 25,000 tulips, which are blooming.

Beyond the spring show, events are scheduled throughout the festival.

The crowning of the Lilac Queen will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Lilacia Park. If it rains, the event typically moves to Lombard Community Building, the park district facility at 433 East St. Charles Road.

One of five Lilac Princesses will be selected to receive the crown. This year's princesses are Chelsea James, Ellsa Lieb, Caroline Pahl, Melissa Reiman and Katie Scully.

The festival wraps up with the Lilac Parade, which steps off at 1:30 p.m. May 18 from Glenbard East High School and travels north along Main Street. This year's theme is "Great Americans."

"Lilac Time is still going to happen," McManis said. "If things turn around tomorrow and from here on out we have nice weather, then it will be fine."

Lilac Time

Lilac Time runs Saturday to May 18 at Lilacia Park, 150 S. Park Ave., Lombard. Includes more than 1,200 lilacs, 25,000 tulips, tours, plant sale, craft fair, concerts and more. Admission costs $2, $1 for children in grades six through 12 and seniors 55 and older; free for Lombard residents with proof of residency and children in fifth grade and younger. Call (630) 953-6000, ext. 27, or visit www.lombardparks.com.

Friday

6:30 p.m. Little Lady Lilac Ball at the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road. $11 for residents, $13 for others, $12 for a corsage. Reservations required, call (630) 620-7322.

Saturday

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

10 a.m. Lilacia Park sketching tour. Free. Reservations required, call (630) 620-7322.

1 p.m. Lilac Queen coronation

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour. Reservations required, $3. Call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

3 p.m. Concert in the Park featuring The Salty Dogs

Sunday

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

9 a.m. Lilac Time Poker Run. $20 for residents and $25 for others. Registration required, call (630) 629-9622. Proceeds benefit Tri-Town YMCA.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lilac Time Art and Craft Fair

1 to 4 p.m. Lilac Café at Lombard Bible Church, 111 S. Park Ave. Call (630) 629-0307.

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour. Reservations required, $3. Call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

2 p.m. Concert in the Park featuring The Dooley Brothers

Monday

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

Tuesday

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour. Reservations required, $3. Call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

Wednesday

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

May 8

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour. Reservations required, $3. Call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

3 to 7 p.m. Lombard Garden Club Lilac Sale. Call (630) 495-1920.

3 to 7 p.m. Lilacia Park plant sale

May 9

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lombard Garden Club Lilac Sale. Call (630) 495-1920.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lilacia Park plant sale

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

6:30 p.m. Lilac Ball at the Carlisle, 435 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard. Reservations required, call the Lombard Chamber of Commerce at (630) 627-5040.

May 10

8 a.m. until sold out Lombard Garden Club lilac sale. Call (630) 495-1920.

8 a.m. until sold out Lilacia Park plant sale

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

10 a.m. Watercolor painting in the park. Free, registration required. Call (630) 620-7322.

10 to 11:30 a.m. Garden Party for children 5 and older accompanied by an adult. $3 with a library card, reservations required. Call the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library at (630) 627-0316.

1 p.m. Concert in the Park featuring Impact of Brass

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour. Reservations required, $3. Call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

May 11

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

9 and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Mother's Day Brunch. $19-$26 for adults, $21-$30 for children ages 2 to 12, free for kids 1 and younger. Reservations required, call (630) 620-7322.

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

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour. Reservations required, $3. Call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

3 p.m. Trolley tour of historic homes. Reservations required, call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

May 12

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

May 13

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

10 a.m. Celebrate Spring drop-in storytime at the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library, 110 W. Maple St.

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour. Reservations required, $3. Call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

May 14

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

10 a.m. Celebrate Spring drop-in storytime at the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library, 110 W. Maple St.

1 p.m. Old-fashioned tea party. $7 for residents, $9 for others. Prizes awarded for most creative Lilac-themed hat. Reservations required. Call (630) 620-7322.

May 15

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour. Reservations required, $3. Call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

2 p.m. Teddy Bear Tea. $8 for residents and $10 for others for children ages 2½ to 6; free for accompanying adults. Reservations required. Call (630) 620-7322.

May 16

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

7 to 9 p.m. Lilacia Park beer tasting. Reservations required. $21 for residents, $24 for others. Call (630) 620-7322.

May 17

8 a.m. Lombard Town Centre and Lombard Park District's Lilac Time Mutt Strut 5K and one-mile walk. Registration required in advance or starting at 7 a.m. race day. Dogs welcome. The cost is $20 for residents and $25 for others, which includes a T-shirt and a ticket to the pancake breakfast. Call (630) 620-7322.

8 to 10:30 a.m. Lilac Pancake Breakfast. $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and younger. Proceeds benefit the Lombard/Villa Park Food Pantry.

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

1 to 3 p.m. Kids' Day Activities

1 to 3 p.m. Kids' crafts with the Lombard Junior Woman's Club

1 p.m. Lombard Park District Performing Troupe

2 p.m. Lilac Heritage Tour. Reservations required, $3. Call the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885.

2 p.m. Dave Rudolf's Beach Party

5 p.m. Lilac Time auction. Call First Church of Lombard at (630) 629-2630.

7 to 9 p.m. Lilacia Park wine tasting. Reservations required. $21 for residents, $24 for others. Call (630) 620-7322.

May 18

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Park open

1:30 p.m. Lilac Parade. Call (630) 415-2079.