Lisle Eyes To The Skies Festival Disbands For Good

LISLE, IL — The Eyes to the Skies Festival, a beloved summer tradition in Lisle, has disbanded for good, festival organizers announced Thursday. The hot air balloon festival, which is usually held Fourth of July weekend, was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus.

These cancellations, along with an increasing lack of volunteers, prompted the decision to end the festival, the announcement said.

Festival organizers wrote, in part, "Unfortunately, with the cancellation of the large festival over the last two years due to COVID-19, the Eyes to the Skies Festival will be disbanding due to a lack of interest and support from community members and a decreasing number of available volunteers who are able to meet the time commitment of running a 3-4 day event."

Lisle village officials are working with the Lisle Park District to organize a smaller event that would be held Fourth of July weekend.

Founded in 2009, Eyes to the Skies has raised more than $1 million to support charities in and around Lisle. Festival organizers thanked its affiliate charities, volunteers and community members for their support throughout the festival's run.

In the Facebook post that accompanied the formal announcement, Eyes to the Skies organizers wrote, "[W]e will truly miss this event and the fun we had. Looking back, even the stressful and trying times were fun, full of stories, laughs, lifelong friendships and memories we'll never forget."