Family-oriented, yet eclectic: Batavia's Windmill City Festival
Organizers of Batavia's Windmill City Festival attribute the event's success to its variety. Offerings such as a Diaper Derby, a beer garden, a fire hose challenge and a pet parade attempt to cater to attendees of all ages.
“We really try to make sure we have something for every member of the family. It's definitely a family festival,” said Kari Felcamp, director of marketing for the Batavia Park District. “It brings people back to Batavia. It's really that time for people from Batavia to meet up at the festival.”
The festival runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 7; noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 8; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 9; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at the Riverwalk, Houston Street at Island Avenue, Batavia.
The festival, which draws between 10,000 and 13,000 attendees, is one of the largest community events in Batavia, according to Felcamp.
This year's festival will offer some new activities such as a sidewalk chalk drawing contest, a Chuck the Duck Race and paddle boats.
Paddle boats are available from 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10.
The School of Art is hosting its first sidewalk chalk drawing contest which is free and open to people of all ages from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday on the South Riverwalk Plaza. Prizes will be awarded to Best in Show and People's Choice.
“Batavia is such an art community. We are hoping we can get people out that can do creative things,” Felcamp said.
Some of the most popular events include the pet parade, golf challenge and ice cream eating contest.
Craig Foltos of Foltos Tonsorial Parlor in Batavia is the emcee of the pet parade and has seen many different types of pets from cats and dogs to snails, turtles and chickens.
“I try to make every person feel special that has a pet. It's really fun with the kids seeing them walk up there with their pets,” Foltos said. “Whatever someone is attached to, we are going to make them feel special.”
The pet parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday, with about 50 pets participating each year. Participants must register at the main stage from 9:15 to 9:50 a.m.
Foltos also came up with the idea of an ice cream eating contest in which participants will eat ice cream as fast as they can out of a big gutter without using their hands.
“I like people to do things they don't normally do but they really want to do,” Foltos said. “It's that chance to be a complete goof, and they like it. Who doesn't like ice cream?”
The ice cream eating contest is at 2 p.m. Sunday and is expected to draw about 75 participants.
Top Golf in Naperville is sponsoring the golf challenge this year, adding two new islands and providing staff to give golf tips to people.
“People stand along the edge (of the Depot Museum Pond) and try to chip a golf ball on the floating greens,” Felcamp said. “People get really competitive and they want to try to get the ball to land on the green.”
The golf challenge is for participants age 10 and older with five golf balls for $5. The challenge will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday; 4 to 8 p.m. Friday; 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The Windmill Whirl 5K will take place at a new location, on Mooseheart School property, and starts at 7 p.m. with a warm-up led by ProForce Sports Performance Training staff at 6 p.m. Registration is from 6 to 6:30 p.m. near the Batavia Covenant Church, 1314 Main St., for $30. Kids younger than 8 years old will receive a $10 discount. The top three males and females in each age division will receive awards.
Ten bands will perform throughout the festival including 7th heaven, The New Invaders and Hillbilly Rockstarz.
Other events include a carnival, craft show and flea market, Touch a Truck, beer garden, fencing, live band karaoke, bags tournament and fire hose challenge.
Admission is free. For details, visit windmillcityfest.org.