Community Corner
Last Fling Promises A Doggone Good Time
Naperville Jaycees annual Labor Day event raises funds for charity. Headlining musical acts, family fun land and the Labor Day parade are just some of the highlights.
For the first time ever at the Last Fling, festival-goers can mingle with the Fling’s mascot and dunk a local dignitary.
The Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling kicks off Friday and runs through Labor Day weekend along the Riverwalk at Main Street and Jackson Avenue.
On Friday, before the first band begins to play, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held with Mayor George Pradel, the Jaycees, Naperville officials and the Fling’s mascot, Frank E. Fling kicking things off.
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Madison Hubbard, a student who was in Mrs. Burke's fourth-grade class at , won the contest naming the Fling’s long-recognized hot dog mascot.
“We have brought him to life this year,” said Nicki Rebottaro, Last Fling public relations chair. “He’s going to be all over the place.”
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A variety of well-known musical acts once again will take the Main Stage on Rotary Hill, said Brad Taylor, Last Fling executive director. Those acts include Poi Dog Pondering, Gin Blossoms, Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson.
“I recommend getting there fast and early, because we are getting close to selling out,” Taylor said.
The free entertainment stage on Jackson Avenue features several local bands.
“We’ve got a lot of great acts,” Taylor said.
A wide variety of special events will take place throughout the Fling. Those include the Fling Mile, bed races, Skaters’ picnic, Big Wheel races, senior bingo, a talent show and several eating contests. New this year is an ice cream-eating contest, to be held Sunday. Also new is the sand volleyball tournament on Monday.
Also new this year is a dunk tank featuring several Naperville leaders and officials. The cost is $5 for three balls.
“We got a lot of individuals that volunteered to do it,” Taylor said.
Among those scheduled to potentially take the plunge are Naperville City Councilman Grant Wehrli, Executive Director Ray McGury and businessman and Jaycee Ray Kinney.
The Jaycees also added a dunk tank as another way to raise funds. Proceeds from the Last Fling are given to several Naperville and DuPage-area nonprofit organizations.
“Bottom line, in the last 20 years, we’ve given $2.1 million to local charities,” Taylor said.
Along with the fun of the Fling, there will be the annual Labor Day parade at 10 a.m. Monday. In honor of its 150th anniversary, and its officials are serving as the parade’s grand marshal. The parade will feature nearly 100 entries.
“We are the biggest Labor Day parade in the state,” Taylor said.
The Last Fling will host Military Appreciation Day from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, where it will recognize troops and Gold Star families with a free day on Rotary Hill, Taylor said. The afternoon includes performances by Blue Moon Swamp, Kimi Hayes, and Cathy Richardson and the Macrodots.
While parking is available in various locations downtown, free shuttle buses will be running from the , and .
“There is a lot of parking downtown,” Taylor said. “But as it gets later in the evening, I’d recommend people take the shuttle.”
Click here for more information about the Last Fling, including hours, purchasing tickets and the Labor Day Parade.
