Lisle's Eyes to the Skies adds several new twists
By file photo
GateHouse News Service
Thu Jul 03, 2008, 11:31 AM CDT
Lisle, IL -
If the 2008 Lisle Eyes to the Skies Festival turns a profit, the surplus funds will benefit the needy, festival organizers say.
The pledge is just one of several new wrinkles planned for the festival.
Chairman Wayne Dunham said the Lisle Fourth of July Committee, which manages the event, will start a charitable foundation – if the festival makes money.
“That hasn’t always been the case, but if it does happen this year, we plan to create a foundation to support a good cause: the needy,” said Dunham, who has been one of the event’s organizers since 1992.
Dunham said recipients would probably be local.
This year’s event budget is $845,000, and Dunham said reduced admissions and an expanded children’s area could boost attendance.
Since the multiple-day event began in 1981, colorful hot-air balloons, well-known bands and fireworks have been the main attractions.
This year’s festival — which runs from Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6 — will add a variety of activies for families and children.
“We really want to keep it fresh year after year,” Dunham said.
The festival’s carnival has added a petting zoo and what organizers tout as the “world’s largest Percheron Horse.” The Espana Extreme Aerial Stunt Show will perform three 30-minute shows each day at the children’s area.
“The group’s sky-cycle act is especially amazing,” Dunham said. “It features a man riding a motorcycle on a high wire while a woman does acrobatics hanging from a trapeze attached to the motorcycle.”
Daily admission has been cut in half from previous years — adult admission will be $5 from noon until 5 p.m. and $7 from 5 to 11 p.m.
The bread and butter of the event remains the display of colorful hot-air balloons.
Daily balloon launches and evening “balloon glows” are scheduled throughout the event.
“Weather permitting, and depending on wind direction, spectators can still expect to see balloons launched and in the air,” Dunham said.
Fireworks are scheduled each night of the festival.
Main-stage entertainment include Blake Shelton on the evening of Thursday, July 3, Kansas on Friday July 4 and Drake Bell on Saturday, July 5.
A second stage, Pazzo’s Patio, will host performances by popular local bands from 3 p.m. until close each day.
Tickets to main-stage concerts are $10 online and $12 at the gate.
The festival also will include a food court, an area for model airplanes and kite flying, a “Let’s Do Art!” tent and a bean bag tournament. Radio Disney will air from the site the first three days of the event.
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2008 Eyes to the Skies Festival closes each night at 11 p.m.
Here’s how to get to Lisle’s 2008 Eyes To The Skies Festival: Many local businesses now sell parking spaces near the festival for more than $5, but these lots are not connected with the festival. If you use them, you will still have to pay admission at the gate. Lot B is at Benet Academy, on the northwest corner of Yackley and Maple Avenues. Lot D is at the Lisle Metra Train Station on Burlington Avenue, just east of Main Street. Lot A is at the old Tellabs parking lot on Burlington just west of Yackley. Special secured parking for motorcycles is available. To reach the parking site, take Yackley Avenue to Ohio Street, turn east and follow staff directions to the site. Handicap-accessible parking is available, but you must have handicapped license plates or a State of Illinois permit to qualify. To reach the handicapped parking, take Ogden Avenue to Yackley Avenue. Go south on Yackley to Ohio Street where security personnel will direct you to the handicapped parking site. |
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