Swedish Days opens with music, entertainment, food, carnival rides

With temperatures in the 90s on Wednesday afternoon during the opening day of Swedish Days in downtown Geneva, ice cream seemed to be the thing – not only sweet but soothing in the heat.

The festival runs through Sunday, June 23.

On Third Street, people held ice cream cones or ate from paper bowls as the heat melted the confections.

Debra Berschbach of Geneva sat on a Third Street bench, eating Mackinac Island fudge ice cream from a cone. Chunks of chocolate fudge jutted out from the vanilla, swirled with more chocolate fudge, purchased from Sweet Sensations, located in the Berry House, 227 S. Third St.

“I just moved here from Virginia,” Berschbach said. “I had been coming here for years because my daughter lives in St. Charles. And I had never heard of Swedish Days. So I thought I’d better come up and check it out. I just walked this block. Next, I stopped to see the carnival rides (and) listened to a little music at the beer tent. There’s a lot of sales going on in the shops.”

She bought a plant from Grow Geneva, 220 S. Third St., and a doily for her table from The Little Traveler, 404 S. Third St.

“I’m going to go home and ride my bike back when it’s a little cooler later for the talent show tonight,” Berschbach said.

Nancy DiMarco and her daughter, Audrey, also of Geneva, came to Swedish Days because they wanted ice cream from Graham’s, 302 S. Third St. – butter pecan for Nancy and chocolate peanut butter for Audrey.

“It’s always great service, it’s homemade, it’s an independent business, supporting local,” Nancy DiMarco said.

And they did some shopping, too – getting kitchen towels at The Little Traveler.

Bob Swiderski and Jim Sronkoski sat on a bench in the shade, taking a break from selling food at the Knights of Columbus booth at Third and Campbell streets.

And despite the blistering heat, business had been pretty good for opening day, Swiderski said.

“This is one of the biggest events of the Knights of Columbus,” Sronkoski said. “It’s one of the biggest fundraisers of the year.”

Swiderski said all the money raised goes back into the community through the Knights’ events and programs.

Brian Norfleet of Chesterfield, Missouri – formerly of Batavia – was wheeling his 1-year-old grandson, Will, around while the rest of his family went shopping.

“We love it,” Norfleet said of Swedish Days. “Obviously, it’s hot. But it’s great to be back. We haven’t been here. It’s been 20 years, for Swedish Days.”

His daughter lives in Arlington Heights, and they visit often to see their grandson.

Batavia resident Bill Ruby brought his toy poodle, Eva. His favorite part of the festival is the food.

“I’m going down to the Knights of Columbus ... a bratwurst,” Ruby said.

To view the festival schedule, visit the Geneva Chamber of Commerce website at genevachamber.com.