Windmill City Festival blows into town July 9-12

Windmill City Festival has become a tried-and-true tradition for many local families. The festival features countless activities over the course of three 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 Thursday, July 9, to Sunday, July 12, at the Riverwalk in downtown Batavia. Admission is free.

The Windmill City Festival committee includes representatives from the Batavia Park District, Batavia Chamber of Commerce and the City of Batavia.

The popular band 7th Heaven will take the main stage by storm from 9 to 11 p.m. Friday. The band has been heard on more than seven radio stations in Chicago and has been an entertainment staple for more than 30 years.

The craft show has been expanded to two days. Browse a wide variety of vendors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 12.

The Batavia Senior Citizens Club will host a "Game Time" from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, under the main tent. Try your luck at Chickenfoot Dominoes, Rummikub, Phase 10 or Skip-bo.

A 100-foot gutter will house hundreds of scoops of ice cream for the Ice Cream Eating Contest at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12. Participants will be divided into age categories and will compete against other ice cream enthusiasts to see who can finish their scoops the fastest. No hands will be allowed.

Tee one up at this year's Golf Challenge. Those age 10 and older can take a shot at chipping a hole-in-one on a floating green in the Depot Pond. The cost is $5 for five balls.

The Batavia Mother's Club will once again host the adorable Diaper Derby at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11, near the Peg Bond Center. Participants, age 6-15 months, will compete in this "crawling race" to win fun prizes. Register by the Main Stage beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Bring the family pet to their very own parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11. Pet Parade participants can register from 9:15 to 9:50 a.m. near the main stage. Prizes will be awarded in several categories, including Best Trick, Most Unusual Pet, Best Costume and Best Kisser. The first 50 pets will receive a complimentary goody bag, courtesy of local sponsors. Anderson Animal Shelter will be conducting an adoption event on site, weather pending.

Runners can tackle the Fox River Trail at 7 p.m. Friday, July 10, during the Windmill Whirl 5K Run. The course covers some of the most spectacular scenery of the Fox River Valley. Registration is $25 per runner before Wednesday, July 8, or $30 on race day. Additional information and a registration link can be found at signmeup.com.

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 p.m. Saturday, July 11. 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, visit www.windmillcityfest.org.