Windmill City Festival 2011

Description

Windmill City Festival has long been a staple of the community and has become a tradition for many local families. The festival features countless activities over the course of two and a half days. Whether you visit the carnival, compete in a 5k, participate in the pet parade or dive in to an ice cream eating contest, every member of the family is sure to find a new favorite activity! This year’s festival will be held Friday, July 8 through Sunday, July 10 at the Riverwalk in downtown Batavia. Admission is free.

Mark your calendar and be sure to drop by the downtown area to enjoy Batavia’s biggest event of the summer! The Windmill City Festival committee includes representatives from the Batavia Park District, Batavia Chamber of Commerce and the City of Batavia.

New this year

Kick off Windmill City Festival weekend with a competitive, one mile race for ages 3 and up. The Youth One Mile Run will follow the Fox River Trail. Parents are welcome to escort runners on the course. Runners will be timed and awards will be given to the three overall boys and girls and the top three runners in each age category. The first 100 registrants are guaranteed a t-shirt. Registration is $10 per runner if registered by Friday, July 1. Race day registration is available for $15.

Battle it out with friends at Play N Trade Batavia’s Guitar Hero Competition on Saturday, July 9 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. Participants will be paired against each other in a round of Guitar Hero. $5 gift cards to Play N Trade will be rewarded to all participants, and winners will receive additional prizes. There will be a grand prize for the highest score at the end of the night. Registration will begin at 7:30 pm. There is a small fee of $2 per person to play. Proceeds will benefit the Batavia Teen Center.

It's not a race to the finish line but Jersey Mike’s Subs Cheesesteak Eating Contest is a competition that only a food lover can truly appreciate. The contest will be held Sunday, July 10 at 2:30 p.m. Bragging rights and prizes will go to the overall winner. A $5 donation is required to enter, and all proceeds benefit the Windmill City Festival.

Unique Offerings

Do you have what it takes to “Win it in a Minute”? The Batavia Teen Center will host a version of the popular game show. Stop by the main stage from 1:30-2:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 9 to try your hand at a variety of games featured on the show. Proceeds benefit the Teen Center.

The popular Pin Drop is back, and one lucky winner will walk away with $500! Purchase a raffle ticket that corresponds to a numbered golf ball for $5 or five for $20 for your chance to win. Second and third place winners will receive cash prizes as well. The Pin Drop will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 9 just east of the Peg Bond Center. Golf balls will be placed into a bucket and dropped from a high elevated platform over a target pin and hole. The participant whose numbered ball gets closest to the pin wins! Winners do not need to be present to win. Pin Drop tickets are available at the Park District Civic Center, 327 W. Wilson St., or the Eastside Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren St., or on site during the festival. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Batavia Parks Foundation.

Favorite Traditions

The Craft Show & Flea Market creates a shopper’s paradise along the scenic Fox River. Stop by and browse a variety of vendors from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 9. If you’re interested in being a vendor at this year’s show please contact Carla Hill or Chris Winter at the Batavia Depot Museum at 630-406-5274.

Suit up your pet rabbit, turtle, cat or dog for this year's pet parade held on Saturday, July 9 at 10:00 a.m. Participants can register from 9:15-9:50 a.m. in front of the main stage. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best Trick, Fastest Wagging Tail, Most Spots, Longest Ears, Most Unusual Pet, Best Costume, Highest Jump and Best Kisser. Each participant will receive a free goodie bag and contest winners will receive prizes courtesy of local retailers.

Runners take your mark and prepare to tackle the Fox River Trail on Friday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. during the Windmill Whirl 5K Run. The course covers some of the most spectacular scenery of the Fox River Valley. Registration is $20 per runner, and the deadline is Friday, July 1. Race day registration is available for $30. Forms are available online at www.bataviaparks.org.

Fun for Adults

There is no reason why adults should feel left out of the loop at this year’s festival! There is a variety of offerings for the big kid in you, including a bags tournament, live bands and an adult-division in the ice cream eating contest! Grab a partner and “Toss for a Cause” in the Batavia Parks Foundation’s annual bags tournament at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 9. Cash prizes will go to the top two teams. After the bags tournament be sure to stop by the food booths and the beer garden.

For more information about Windmill City Festival or for a complete schedule of events, please visit www.bataviaparks.org. Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook!