Last Fling Provides Summer with Final Hoorah

Games, rides, food and various musical acts do not properly describe what the Last Fling means to Naperville and its surrounding communities.

For many who braved Saturday’s rainy weather, the Labor Day weekend festival is a final tribute to summer’s concluding days.

“No one wants the summer to end,” Lisle resident Jaime Jorstad said. “School started. Schedules started. Sports started. It gets busy quickly.”

Jorstad came to the Fling with her husband Brett, daughter Carley,7, and Carley’s friend Kelsey, 7, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for the wrist band unlimited rides.

“We liked it so much that we returned with our daughter Cady (2) so she could ride,” Jorstad said.

Besides attracting families, the Fling drew many teenagers and young adults looking for a good time. Waubonsie Valley student James Devine went with his Neuqua Valley friends Rafael Molina and Jeremy Wik.

“It’s kind of sad because I like the summer a lot,” said Devine, who is attending his second Fling. “It’s a last chance to have some fun before you have a heavier workload.”

Devine said they liked riding the Shooting Star and participated in carnival attractions like Drag a Fish and a football throw.

“The Last Fling only happens once a year and we thought this was the most important thing to do today,” Devine said. “It’s fun. It’s not something common for us. You could come and see a bunch of your friends too because everyone goes.”

Naperville Central student Taylor Pokorny loves going to the Fling. She went with some friends and tried unsuccessfully to win a giant stuffed giraffe at the Hoop Shots stand.

“I came here because I had nothing else to do and it’s free,” Pokorny said.  “There’s a lot of people and everyone comes here.” 

Executive Committee member and public relations chair Nicki Rebottaro said this year the Fling offered new things like a Mega Pass ($49.99) allowing for unlimited weekend rides, a dunk tank and live mascot Frank E. Fling, a giant hot dog who has been the event’s face for years.

“We had a spring contest with School District 203 and 204 fourth graders to name him,” Rebottaro said. “Madison Hubbard of Naper Elementary School won and she was on stage with Mayor George Pratl during Friday’s opening ceremony.”

Rebottaro said the Naperville Jaycees have run the Fling for the last 31 years, taking over for the Naperville Chamber of Commerce and other local groups. 

The Jaycees is a non-for-profit organization that runs fundraisers throughout the year, raising about $150,000 annually for local charities and groups like Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, DuPage PADS, Green Earth Institute and Naperville Little League.

“Last Fling is our biggest fundraiser and it’s a really great event,” Rebottaro said. “We raise so much money and really, this is a way to give back to our community while having a big party.”

Rebottaro said 17 businesses participated in the event’s Business Expo and 22 food vendors sold their product. 

According to Executive Committee member Helen Taylor, volunteers drive the Fling’s manpower with 800-900 assisting this weekend.