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.