Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling headliners include Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press’ debut in the city

Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling headliners include Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press’ debut in the city

Nearly 15 musical acts including five debuting performers are booked for Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling on Labor Day weekend.

The nonprofit’s largest fundraiser features four days of live music, food and family fun on Labor Day weekend along Jackson Avenue in Naperville.

“The Naperville Jaycees are an organization that raises funds to donate to nonprofits in Naperville and surrounding communities. We are a nonprofit raising money for nonprofits,” said Karen Coleman, public relations chair for Last Fling.

Aug. 30’s headliner, which performs at 8 p.m. on the Jackson Avenue Stage, is among the new acts for what is billed as an end-of-the-summer, block party-style event.

“Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press are a Chicago-based cover band, but they’re more than the standard cover band,” said Coleman, who saw the group perform at an event last summer in Chicago and suggested booking the four-piece for this summer’s Last Fling.

“They’re very musically inclined so they add their spin on everything. It’s like a road show so it’s music and comedy and dancing. It’s a combination of things. We’re actually their first show in Naperville. They’re a lot of fun.”

Friday’s lineup also includes the Last Fling debut of Sammy & The Knights, which performs rhythm and blues and rock ’n’ roll from the 1960s and 1970s, at 5 p.m. on the Jackson Avenue Stage.

Coleman noted that the nine returning acts are back by demand.

“They’re crowd favorites,” said Coleman, a Naperville native who now lives in South Carolina.

Hi Infidelity, which calls itself Chicagoland’s best 1980s rock cover band, headlines Aug. 31 with favorites by Bon Jovi, Boston, Journey and REO Speedwagon, as well as new classics, at 8 p.m. on the Jackson Avenue Stage.

Saturday’s bill on the Jackson Avenue Stage also includes Motown Nation at 5:15 p.m., new act The Chain performing as Fleetwood Mac’s lineup from the “Rumours” era at 2:30 p.m. and the Last Fling debut of Sonic Roadtrip playing rock and dance covers at noon.

Sept. 1’s headliner is Sixteen Candles, which performs at 8 p.m. on the Jackson Avenue Stage and is billed as the nation’s premier 1980s pop experience.

Sunday performers on the Jackson Avenue Stage also include 90’s Pop Nation at 5:15 p.m., Heart to HeartBreaker at 2:30 p.m. and new act Rockhouse mixing classic rock gems with deeps cuts at noon.

Last Fling, which marks 60 years in 2025, closes Sept. 2 with The Ron Burgundys headlining at 3:45 p.m. on the Jackson Avenue Stage with yacht rock and other softcore rock from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones also perform Monday at noon during a complimentary lunch for military veterans in the Sponsors’ Area near the Jackson Avenue Stage.

The Beer Garden Stage features singer/songwriters Michael C. Hayes Aug. 30 and Sept. 2 and Brent Brown Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

“It’s a great mix of music,” said Coleman, who has been involved with the Naperville Jaycees for 14 years.

“We’ve got a little bit of something for everybody.”

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.

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