Local News

'Girls Gone Wild' At Annual Chain O'Lakes Party

ANTIOCH, Ill. (CBS) ― Thousands of people are expected to party on the Chain O'Lakes starting tomorrow. It could be a ''wild weekend'' with bikinis, boats and beer. Police are afraid it could be a dangerous mix. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov shows us why.

Welcome to Blarney Island. But it's nowhere near Ireland. The popular, summertime boating and watering hole is in the middle of the Chain O'Lakes. And this Saturday, it will be the site of a "Girls Gone Wild - Hottest Bars In America" bash.

"Who could miss that? I couldn't miss it for the world," said Andy Frankenfield, Crystal Lake resident.

That party coincides with "Fun on the Fox" - an annual sandbar shindig that draws thousands of revelers. Lake County sheriffs authorities expect the two parties combined will easily bring more than a thousand boats to the chain. The sheriff plans on extra patrols.

But Blarney Island's majority owner says, controversy aside, it's good for business, especially after the June floods kept them closed for almost a fifth of their season.

"Just having one big day is not gonna make up for being closed for five weeks unfortunately, that's just the way that goes, but every little bit helps of course," said Rob Hardman, Blarney Island owner. "It will be a couple of years before we can possibly recoup from being closed for five weeks."

Hardman says his security - and Lake County's - should ensure smooth sailing on Saturday. But not everyone thinks "Girls Gone Wild" in Illinois is such a good thing.

"I wouldn't want my daughters to be part of it. They're around that age," said Michelle Curtis, Blarney Island customer.

But others say it's nothing to get worked up about.

"I think it's fun for most women, and good for them," said Susie Brown, Blarney Island customer.

The bottom line is owners here and Lake County authorities just want everyone to be safe, follow the law and have a good time.

The Lake County Sheriff says the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and possibly the U.S. Coast Guard will help patrol the lakes this weekend.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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