Eyes To The Skies Festival 2018: Guide To Events, Music, Food

LISLE, IL — It's almost that time of year, when fireworks and festival fun kick off the summer. The village's Eyes to the Skies Festival returns to Lisle Community Park, starting with the carnival on Wednesday, June 27 and the festival kick off on Friday, June 29. Balloon rides, live music, food, crafters, rides, fireworks, vendors and so much more runs through July 1 at the festival's 1825 Short Street location.

The festival benefits several local charities.

Plan ahead by checking the forecast, as temperatures are expected to be at least in the high 80s, with some clouds. You can find a list of cooling centers here.

Carnival hours:

• June 27: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• June 28: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• June 29: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• June 30: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• July 1: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The West Gate is the only free carnival entrance, which is located off of the Yackley Ave. side.

Carnival prices:

• $1 per ticket, $20 per 21 tickets, or $40 per 44 tickets
• Wristband Days: Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday, June 28; $25 for wristbands that are good for all rides, open to close (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
• MegaPass: For carnival rides only, no entry into the festival. MegaPasses can be bought online for $65.00 ($70.00 at the carnival gate) at www.eyestotheskies.org from May 30 to June 27 at 12 p.m. They can also be bought at both Lisle Savings Bank locations for $65.00 from May 30, 12 p.m. through June 26th, 12 p.m. or $70.00 at carnival gate anytime during festival.

Festival hours:

• June 29: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• June 30: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• July 1: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Admission:

• $10
• Cash only at the gates, but you can buy tickets in advance
• Children 8 and under admitted free
• Lisle residents that show a valid ID with Lisle address at the gate get in for free up until 3 p.m. Sunday.
• Veterans and Active Military Personnel get free individual access all three days by showing a valid Photo ID at the entrance.

Balloon rides:

• The Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival displays a wide variety of balloons, but due to weather restrictions balloons only fly in the morning (starting at 6 a.m.) and in the evenings (starting at 6 p.m.), and flights are completely weather dependent.
• Tethered rides are $20 per adult/child, cash only
• As you face the balloon field the display balloons will be on your right and the tethered balloons will be to your left.
• Morning flights do not need the $10 festival admission.
• Remote parking and shuttle service will be provided from the Benet High School parking lot, beginning at 5 a.m. and the last bus will leave the balloon field at 10 a.m.
• Tethered balloons will rise up 50 feet or so on the tether, allowing you a panoramic view and pictures of the festival, and then come back down.

Musical entertainment:

The Eyes to the Skies Festival has two stages of musical entertainment, The Van Kampen Stage (main stage) on the northwest side of the festival on the hill, and The Riverview Stage is located on the east side of the festival right next to the balloon field. Musical entertainment is free once inside the festival. Here is the lineup for both stages, Friday, June 29 through Sunday, July 1:

The Van Kampen Stage:

June 29:

• 5 p.m.: One Night Band
• 6:45 p.m.: Breakfast Club
• 8:45 p.m.L Purple Xxperience

June 30:

• 4 p.m.: OMG (One More Time)
• 7 p.m.: Loudernow
• 8:45 p.m.: Lucky Boys Confusion

July 1:

• 4:30 p.m.: Back Country Roads
• 6:30 p.m.: Drew Baldridge
• 8:30 p.m.: Maddie & Tae

The Riverview Stage:

June 29:

• 7:15 p.m.: Made in America
• 8:45 p.m. & 10:20 p.m.: High Infidelity

June 30:

• 5:30 p.m.: Don't Speak
• 7:15 p.m.: Run Forest Run
• 9 p.m.: Boy Band Review

July 1:

• 4 p.m.: School of Rock
• 5:30 p.m.: Hot Rocks
• 7:15 p.m.: Kashmir
• 9:15 p.m.: Wedding Banned

Fireworks:

• Every night! June 29 through July 1 with an estimated start of 9:45 p.m., launched by Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc., south of the hot air balloon field and viewable from anywhere in the festival.

Food:

• Over 50 food vendors to enjoy shopping and dining: Ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, to the fried Oreos and a Pork-Chop on a Stick
• Celiac Disease: The Eyes to the Skies Festival website says the festival "realizes the difficulties suffered from Celiac disease or other food allergies. Unfortunately due to security reasons, the Festival does not typically allow outside food in. However, if you suffer from Celiac disease and can provide a doctor's note, the Festival will allow you to bring a small one person cooler in with food for one person. Thank you."

Kids Area: A wide variety of activities for children of all ages

• Free entry with festival admission
• Shows, art projects, specialty vendors, a specialty circus, costumed characters, rides, and much more
• There are some additional costs for some of the rides and activities charged by vendors.

The following events will be in the Kids Area:

June 29

• 12 p.m.: Wellness Company
• 3 p.m.: DJ Dre Dance Tent, Dive Heart, Top Golf, Knockerball Chicago Bubble Soccer (fee), Main Event Entertainment, Keep Kids Safe, Raging Waves, Sky Zone Aurora Trampoline Park, Aqua-Tots Swim School, Victory Martial Arts, Waxed Hands, Learn about 'Go Ape,' The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn ($5 face painting), Playtime Presents 'What The Clown' and his giant juggling bag, Lisle Library, Bulls/Sox Academy, Dive Heart
• 3:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.: Salto Entertainment presents MOTO MANIACS
• 3:45 p.m.: Dan the friendly red hooded neighborhood tiger
• 3:45 p.m.: Crosstown Exoitics Traveling Reptile Show
• 4:30 p.m.: Magic with Julian
• 5 p.m.: Jason Kollum (Variety juggling traveling show)
• 5:30 p.m.: Brian Wismer Entertainment
• 6:15 p.m.: Ken Schultz "The Flying Fool"

June 30

• 12 p.m.: Aqua-Tots Swim School, DJ Dre Dance Tent, Keep Kids Safe, Victory Martial Arts, Learn about 'Go Ape,' Dr. Dre in the We in the basement show Nick Connell Balloon Twisting, Bulls/Sox Academy, Soccer Shots (DuPage County)
• 1 p.m.: Crosstown Exotics Traveling Reptile Show, Rock 'n' Kids (Traveling music program)
• 1:30 p.m.: Playtime presents 'Shh!' the mime for invisible mime time
• 2 p.m.: Magic by Randy, Lisle Library, Photo Mania Photo Booth,
• 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m.: Salto Entertainment presents MOTO MANIACS
• 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.: Fairytale Entertainment presents Sing Along and Meet & Greet with Island Princess and Cinderella
• 3 p.m.: Wellness Company, The Barefoot Hawaiian, Sign up for Ice Cream Eating Contest
• 4 p.m.: Ice Cream Eating Contest
• 4:30 p.m.: Jason Kollum (Variety juggling traveling show)
• 4:45 p.m.: Crosstown Exotics Traveling Reptile Show
• 5:30 p.m.: Chicago Bubble Show
• 6:15 p.m.: Ken Schultz "The Flying Fool"

July 1

• 12 p.m.: Wellness Company, Top Golf, Keep Kids Safe, Knockerball Chicago Bubble Soccer (fee), Main Event Entertainment, Sky Zone (Aurora), Aqua-Tots Swim School, The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn ($5 face painting), Victory Martial Arts, Waxed Hands, Dr. Dre in the We in the basement show, Bulls/Sox Academy, Soccer Shots (DuPage County)
• 12:30 p.m.: Animal Quest
• 1:30 p.m.: Miss Jamie's Farm
• 2 p.m.: Crosstown Exotics Traveling Reptile Show, Salto Entertainment presents MOTO MANIACS (also at 7 p.m.), Ranger the T-Rex, Nick Connell Balloon Twisting
• 2:15 p.m.: Zack Percell of TNZ Magic
• 3 p.m.: Fairytale Entertainment presents Sing Along and Meet & Greet with Snow Queen & Princess Ann, Meet & Greet with USA National Miss Illinois Teen Taylor Andrews
• 3:15 p.m.: Magic by Randy
• 4 p.m.: Meet & Greet American Hero, Tinkerbelle and Spongy, Playtime presents 'Shh!' the mime for invisible mime time
• 4:30 p.m.: Robin's Dog Stars
• 5:15 p.m.: Andy Head: Wonderful Wacky Juggler
• 6 p.m.: Dave DiNaso's Traveling World of Reptiles

The 2018 LEGO® Let’s Play Tour:

• Fun, free play area with building tables, family challenges, photo opportunities with life-size LEGO models and a chance to build and launch your own LEGO creations down a race ramp.
• Included with admission ticket

Crafters:

• Local and national crafters
• Artwork, jewelry, clothing and many other staples
• Located on Short St. west of the bridge and east of the carnival/main festival entrance
• Email wendyjnadeau@yahoo.com for crafter/artist application or information

Parking/Transportation

• No parking on the grounds; use remote lots for festival access
• Parking: There is parking at 2 locations with free shuttle buses taking visitors to the front entrance of the festival from lots A, B. and C; Spaces for more than 3,000 automobiles.
• Many local businesses now sell parking spaces near the Eyes to the Skies Festival for a price.
• You can take the Burlington Northern Metra Train to downtown Lisle and walk roughly a half mile to the Festival (10 to 15 minute walk). Walk West of the train station to Main Street, and turn left / walk South down Main Street until you hit Short Street, and then turn right / head West on Short Street. Short Street dead-ends into Main Street, so you can only go West on Short Street. Once you cross Route 53 you will enter the park and shortly thereafter the Festival grounds.
• Uber and Lyft dropoff point: The remote lot at Benet Academy located at 2200 Maple Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532. From this point it is a very short shuttle bus ride into the Festival
• Navistar free shuttle: 2601 Navistar Dr. Lisle, IL 60532
• Handicap accessible: Free parking outside the West ticket booth

More information (eyestotheskies.org):

• Parking: Handicapped, Serena's Song, Motorcycles, Bicycles
• Mega Passes: If you buy your MegaPasses at Lisle Savings Bank, you will receive a voucher. Vouchers can be redeemed for wristbands at the main ticket booth on carnival site any time carnival is open.
• A majority of vendors only take cash
• Tickets are non-refundable

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