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20 hot-air baloons floating toward Eyes to the Skies

Twenty hot-air balloons will be among the featured attraction when Lisle's Eyes to the Skies festival returns for its 37th year July 4-6.

The fest also will feature two music stages, a carnival, a craft fair, plenty of food, nightly fireworks, and more than 50 family-friendly vendors, activities and shows in the sprawling kids' area.

Drawing 80,000-plus visitors, Eyes is open from noon to 11 p.m. all three days at Lisle's Community Park, 1825 Short St.

Among the highlights:

Balloons

• Balloon launches are scheduled for 5:30 a.m. each day (free to watch) and 6:30 p.m. (with fest admission). The launches are weather dependent. As always, the show features traditional balloons along with character balloons, which this year include Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Owlbert and Ben & Jerry.

• Lighted "Balloon Glow" shows are at 8 p.m. each day.

• Tethered balloon rides will be available, weather permitting, all three days on a first-come, first-served basis. Rides are $20 for both adults and children.

Music

Nearly 20 acts are set to perform over the weekend. They include:

• Country band Parmalee and bluegrass/folk act The Way Down Wanderers on Friday on the Vankampen stage.

• Alt-rockers Soul Asylum and Naperville alt/punk rockers AM Taxi on Saturday.

• For the complete musical lineup, visit www.EyesToTheSkies.org.

Other stuff

• In addition to more than 25 vendors in the Kids' Area, there are nearly 20 interactive activities and stage shows scheduled each day between noon and 7 p.m. Among the activities are a dance tent, a trampoline park, balloon twisting, an ice cream eating contest (on Thursday), martial arts, science demonstrations, face painting, and reptile, magic and hand puppet shows.

• The fest will feature food from 50-plus vendors, and a craft fair showcasing the handiwork of more than 50 artists during normal fest hours.

• Fireworks shows are scheduled at 9:45 p.m. all three nights.

• In addition to carnival rides during normal festival hours on July 4-6, rides also will be available from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7.

Need to know

• The fest will be open from noon to 11 p.m. all three days.

• General admission is $10 for adults; free for children 8 and younger.

• The fest is presented by the Lisle Eyes to the Skies Festival Committee, with proceeds benefiting six local charities and business organizations.

You never know what you'll see in the skies over Lisle during the three-day festival - maybe a parachutist with a giant American flag? - but organizers say 20 hot-air balloons are scheduled to make appearances. Daily Herald file photo
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