Lisle could get bigger stage for Eyes to the Skies bands

Future bands at Lisle's Eyes to the Skies festival could be in store for a bigger stage.

Lisle Park District is finalizing plans to increase the size of Van Kampen Memorial Stage inside Lisle Community Park, using $100,000 in festival proceeds organizers have committed to the cause.

Executive Director Dan Garvy said money from the festival will allow the park district to pursue a more expensive plan — roughly $500,000 — that will give additional space on the stage, which is on a peninsula that extends into the park's main pond.

With a larger stage could come bigger bands.

“Eyes to the Skies has indicated a challenge in attracting some of the really big acts because of the size,” Garvy said. “With some of the productions that some of these larger performers require, that stage has become somewhat limiting.”

Built circa 1988, the stage isn't used often outside of Eyes to the Skies, Garvy said. But plans to expand it after the festival this year or in 2017 could lead to more uses, including weddings and outdoor classes for Lisle High School students or park district campers.

“The size hasn't been as conducive,” Garvy said. “We hope with this new design it'll expand our programming opportunities and be a lot more appealing.”

Without the money Eyes to the Skies organizers committed after the 33rd annual fest last summer, Garvy said the park district could have chosen a scaled-back plan to stabilize the peninsula from eroding into the pond but leave its size the same.

Stage expansion plans are not the only beneficiary of money raised during last year's fest; six Lisle nonprofits also are splitting $165,000 based on how many volunteer hours members completed, said Katie Palombit, the festival's marketing director.

Money has been donated to the Lisle Area Chamber of Commerce, Lisle Education Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Lisle, Lisle Lions Club, Lisle Partners for Parks Foundation and Rotary Club of Lisle.

“It's a principal funding source for us,” said Gary Shafer, a Kiwanis Club of Lisle member.

Shafer said the donation allows Kiwanians to fund such outreach as Thanksgiving food packages for more than 70 families, a Christmas party for nearly 150 needy children, an annual senior picnic and scholarships for members of the philanthropic Key Club at Lisle High School.

This year's Eyes to the Skies also will raise money for charities. The carnival runs June 29 through July 3, while the full festival is scheduled for July 1 through 3.

The event will showcase 25 hot air balloons including two tethered balloons offering rides. One of them, Serena's Song, is wheelchair accessible and will give rides to children and adults with disabilities through SEASPAR, the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation.