The Fling has Flung

For Lisle resident Will Fedanzo, attending Naperville's weekend-long festivities was all about the snow cones.

"This is my first time at the Last Fling," said the 26-year-old, who was on a date at the time.

For the past 30 years, the Naperville Jaycees have been throwing the ultimate block party to close out the summer and this year was no exception. The streets of Naperville were filled with people throughout Labor Day weekend, enjoying all that the 2010 Last Fling had to offer.

Last Fling spokeswoman Randi Weiland projected on Friday that the weekend-long event—by far the biggest fundraiser of the year—would bring in about $200,000 for more than 40 of Naperville's charities. About 250,000 people were expected to attend.

 "I've been here mornings, days and nights," said Naperville resident Jennifer Kashur, 55. "I love the dog Frisbee."

From carnival rides to pie-eating contests and a variety of concerts, the festivities included something for everyone. Weiland took Patch on a tour of the festival to get an inside look and learn what the Jaycees are all about.

"We represent the Junior Chamber of Commerce," Weiland said. "Our main objective is simply to get people involved in their community, to know the people and places of the town they live in."

The Jaycees is a volunteer-based organization and Weiland described the group as "a giant extended family."

That family feel was undoubtedly present in the "Rooster Tent" on Friday.

A "Jaycee" is between the ages of 21 and 40, Weiland said, and beyond that, participants become "roosters," who are wise with age.

"We all look up to the roosters for guidance and as a team, we raise money for the community through things such as the Last Fling," she said.

Big musical entertainers this year included Chicago blues singer Buddy Guy, rock band Collective Soul, and country star Clint Black. The expected 10,000 concert goers enjoyed music while seated atop Rotary Hill.

Many teens enjoyed carnival rides and kids had endless entertainment at Family Fun Land, even getting the chance to meet Disney stars Chelsea Staub and Nicole Anderson.

The Apple Pie Bake-Off is a popular event every year, Weiland said, as well as the newly returned Bed Races. The Last Fling also hosted a talent show, soccer shoot outs, rib cook-off and a strong man competition.

The traditional Labor Day parade had Naperville locals lining the streets to support their community. This year, the parade was dedicated to the late Chuck Bueche, an avid Jaycee since 1954. The parade marks the end of the four-day-long festival.

Patch reporter Ben Gross contributed to this report.

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