Brady Norris, 7, of Aurora waits for his turn to participate in the costume contest at the annual BatFest in Batavia Saturday. The Elvis costume was his idea, he said.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Kids put on costumes from scary to silly for BatFest Saturday in downtown Batavia.
Activities on both sides of the Fox River included downtown trick or treating, Main Stage entertainment at the Peg Bond Center, and the first Fall Festival with petting zoo, train rides, arts and crafts, and live music hosted at Music Matters, 24 N. Washington.
"We are excited to be participating with our Fall Festival this year," said Jeff Matter, owner of Music Matters School of Music. "We had so much fun with everyone last year that we wanted to amp up the fun with more to do on both sides of the river this year."
Other activities at BatFest included a pumpkin roll down Houston Street, pumpkin seed spitting contest, 3-D pumpkin carving display, pumpkin carving battle on the Main Stage, Halloween parade, hayrides and monster mash dance.
"BatFest is such a wonderful family event," said Diane Szewczyk, vice president and bank manager at BMO Harris Bank. "BMO Harris is delighted to provide sponsorship and be a part of this ghoulish occasion."
Teddie Ritchie, 9, left, of Batavia and his brother, Harry, 5, hang out with the bronze children statues near the Batavia Riverwalk while waiting for results to come in for best costumes at the annual BatFest in Batavia Saturday.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
From left, Katie Schroeder, Ashley Howser and Molly Giesen, all 9 and from Batavia, take the stage to enter in the group costume category posing as classic stickmen at the annual BatFest in Batavia Saturday. Best friends, they made their own masks and designed their mustaches, and got a little help with the rest of the costumes from Katie's mom, Beth.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Ashlyn Simon, 4, of Batavia, disguised as Cleopatra, gets the giggles when costume contestants are asked to twirl around as a group to show off their costumes during the judging at the annual BatFest in Batavia Saturday.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Bubba and his owner, Brandon Callison, 5, of Batavia show off their costumes in the Sci-Fi category of the best costume contest at the annual BatFest in Batavia Saturday. Brandon's mother, Sarah, said Brandon wanted to be a Stormtrooper. As for Bubba, "He looks like Yoda," she said with a laugh.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Jacob Rubo, 6, of Sugar Grove shows off the Lego pirate costume that he and his mom, Carrie, made at the annual BatFest costume contest in Batavia Saturday.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com