Above / Bun-loving Frank E. Fling, the Jaycees mascot, proved to be hard to catch up with during the annual bed races that ran behind Naper Settlement for a bunch of years. Look for the Frank E. Fling to volunteer for special activities throughout Labor Day weekend and to give a big wave during the Labor Day Parade on Sept. 1. Hot dog! (PN File Photo)
Updated, Aug. 30, 2025 / Volunteers continue to make things happen at the Jaycees Last Fling, now celebrating its 60th year. Community Booths along Jackson Avenue between Eagle and Webster streets (Some with giveaways and others selling items for charitable causes.) feature local organizations and businesses that would like folks in attendance to make their acquaintance.
And, yes, there’s live music, music, music on both sides of Jackson Avenue near Main Street.
Below is small sampling of the some of the faces in the opening day crowd along Jackson Avenue as well some of the big rides along the Midway just as sprinkles began Friday evening. Celebrate safely.
Back 60 years ago, the Jaycees Last Fling program was presented in print. These days it’s all online on the Last Fling website. Take a moment to peruse the Last Fling Event Program for all the festivities and times. Thank you!
Here you go… The event schedule begins on page 16. https://lastfling.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-Last-Fling-Event-Program.pdf
Festivities run until 10PM Saturday. Gates open again at 10AM Sunday until 10PM. Then Monday, Labor Day, gates open at 10AM and close at 6PM.
Remember that the Naperville Labor Day Parade steps off at 10AM from Naperville North High School, following a long-used route along Mill Street, to Jefferson Avenue, meandering through downtown Naperville along Main Street, then turning at Porter Avenue and ending at Naperville Central High School. Yes! Naperville loves its parades that showcase community spirit!
Originally Posted, Aug. 20, 2025 / The Naperville Jaycees will host their annual Last Fling, Aug. 29 through Sept. 1, mindful that the event first started in the mid-1960s before there was Naper Settlement, the Riverwalk, Century Walk or Moser Tower.
Way back in July 1965, minutes from the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce note the idea for a Labor Day weekend event originated from Naperville native and businessman Dick Wehrli, then head of the Chamber’s Community Promotion Committee. Chamber minutes a year later in 1966 reflect that Rick Motta had taken the lead to plan a parade, picnic, ball game, band concert and more for Labor Day weekend in the parking lot for Centennial Beach that would begin that year.
About a decade or a dozen years later, the Chamber offered the Last Fling to the Naperville Jaycees. The Last Fling moved to Jackson Avenue in 1985, all the while embracing the Jaycees Creed.
We Believe:
That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;
That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;
That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;
That government should be of laws rather than of men;
That earth’s great treasure lies in human personality;
And that service to humanity is the best work of life.
The Jaycees Last Fling congers up all sorts of memories as it’s grown, developed and right-sized during its first 60 years. In addition to many generous gifts to nonprofit agencies, the service club’s fundraising has provided the Jaycees Marina, Jaycees Playground, Jaycees Gazebo and Jaycees Park along the Riverwalk.
For more information about membership, monthly meetings, projects, programs and Last Fling, visit naperjaycees.org.
