Contests galore at Batavia’s Windmill City Festival

If you have a competitive spirit, Batavia’s Windmill City Festival along the Riverwalk is the place to be this weekend.

The event runs from noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 13; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 14; and 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 15. Free parking is available north of the government center.

The three-day festival features several contests, and visitors of all ages can join in the fun.

From noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14, the Golf Challenge will let would-be golf pros take their shot at chipping a hole-in-one on a green floating in the Depot Museum pond. From 8:45 to 10:45 p.m. Friday, rock out to the Game Stop Guitar Hero Competition.

Saturday will feature the pet parade at 10 a.m. Invite your furry — or not-so furry — friend to this unique parade and win pet prizes for the following categories: Best Trick, Fastest Wagging Tail, Most Spots, Longest Ears, Most Unusual Pet, Best Costume, Highest Jump and Best Kisser.

Registered parade participants will receive a complimentary “doggie bag” to take home courtesy of local sponsors. Registration will be held near the main stage from 9:15 to 9:50 a.m.

Also on Saturday will be the Kane County Cougars Wiffle ball Home Run Derby and a bags tournament.

Sunday is when things get serious with the Windmill Whirl, a 5K run and youth 1-mile run. For kids, there will be Big Wheel races at noon and an ice cream eating contest at 2 p.m.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, teams are invited to compete in the Fire Hose Challenge, using fire hoses to send a ball across your opponent’s line.

The festival also features a carnival, food vendors, beer garden, nightly entertainment on the main stage, and on Saturday, Touch a Truck, a farmers market and a craft show and flea market.

For a complete schedule, visit windmillcityfest.com.