Naperville’s Last Fling featuring a little of everything — including breakdancing
If you’re looking for something new at Last Fling, the Labor Day weekend fest in downtown Naperville, how about trying your hand — arms? legs? back? — at breakdancing?
“Riverwalk Breaks” will be handing out cash prizes for those who emerge as the best in the showdown competition open to youths, teens and adults from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Riverwalk Amphitheater.
It promises to be one of the highlights of the 61st annual Naperville Jaycee’s free festival, with carnival rides, live music, family activities, a Labor Day parade, and lots of food and drink options along the Naperville Riverwalk that kick off Friday night and wrap up late Monday afternoon.
“That is a one-on-one breakdancing competition,” Last Fling public relations chairwoman Karen Coleman said. “We have area-recognized DJs and judges that are going to be there. We are really excited about it. It’s going to be fun.”
Co-sponsored by Stylin’ Out and one of the family attractions offered by Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey, music will be provided by DJs Virgil 7 and Jillian X and the judges are Bochi, Dozy Fresh and Vital. The winner of the adult competition takes home $300 and the youth winner nets $200.
Other family-related activities over the four days will include a spaghetti-eating contest, building with Legos, senior bingo, a balloon toss, theater and music performances, athletic demonstrations and a reptile show.
Live music on the Jackson Avenue Main Stage will include a diverse mix of local and regional talent. The headliners are Hairbangers Ball on Friday, Hillbilly Rockstarz on Saturday, Sixteen Candles on Sunday and Hi Infidelity on Monday.
There also will be live music daily on the beer garden stage.
“I think really we’ve got a great variety of music for everyone,” Coleman said. “This particular year, it’s a great balance.”
Adults 21 or older can enjoy free tastings at the beverage tent.
“Everything from beer and wine products to new seltzers that are coming out,” she said. “There are also nonalcoholic options from Go Brewing. We will have quite a variety of those happening all weekend. They are usually mid- to late-afternoon on each of the days.”
Samples will be available near the sponsor’s tent and the food vendors on Jackson Avenue, between Webster and Main streets.
Speaking of which, this year’s food roster boasts 17 businesses selling festival staples like pizza, ice cream, bratwursts and shaved ice, as well as sandwiches, tacos, pierogis and roasted corn.
“We’ve got Candy Shenanigans coming. They are a candy vendor and they’re going to be really popular,” Coleman said.
This year’s fest also will have the largest selection of beverages ever, she said, with 14 different types of adult beverages and additional non-alcoholic beverages.
The safety measures put in place in 2025 will return this year, including policies that dictate only clear bags can be taken into the fest grounds and anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by someone 21 or older, with up to five minors allowed to accompany each adult.
Coleman said most people had no issue with the rules and, as a result, there were few problems resulting from bad behavior or smuggled-in contraband last year.
“It was very smooth,” she said. “We do understand that attendance was down a little bit … but everyone that was there was there for the same reason versus just hanging around. We were very happy.”
Returning this year is the carnival mega pass, giving holders access to unlimited rides during the Fling. The cost is $100 at the main ticket booth at Jackson Avenue and Eagle Street.
Single-day wristbands are also available. Patrons with special needs can enjoy a low-stress carnival experience from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday.
Labor Day parade
For those wanting to catch the parade, it steps off at 10 a.m. at Naperville North High School, crosses through downtown and ends at Naperville Central High School. This year’s grand marshal is nonprofit KidsMatter.
“Because this is their 25th anniversary, we felt it was a great fit,” Coleman said. “(The Jaycees) have partnered with them in the past on some of their social events and on some activities we’ve done in the community. We volunteered at their facility many times as part of our philanthropy projects and have had a great relationship with them in the past.”
The parade typically draws between 50,000 and 60,000 people and is the largest Labor Day procession in the state, she said. Typically there are about 90 entries.
“It’s a great way to honor all the community service members and laborers that make our community what it is, that we could not be Naperville without,” she said.
At noon Monday, a Veterans Appreciation Lunch will be held at the sponsors tent.
“Anyone with proper military ID can come and have lunch and a few drinks on us while listening to the music,” Coleman said.
For more information on Last Fling — the hours for which are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday — go to lastfling.org.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.