Hometown Picnic features summertime traditions
Naper Settlement's Hometown Picnic features summertime traditions including games, contests and races, a vintage baseball game and an apple pie baking competition from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at 523 S. Webster St. in Naperville. All activities are included with admission, which is $12 adults, $10 seniors (62+) and $8 youth (4-17). Naperville residents (with proof of residency) and members receive free admission.
"The Hometown Picnic offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, with plenty of activities for all ages," said Learning Experiences Coordinator Anna Di Cosola. "The vintage baseball game will be both entertaining and informative."
Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic to enjoy the fast-paced action of bare knuckle baseball, based on the original rules from 1858, when the Lemont Quarrymen take on the Deep River Grinders at 1 p.m.
More bakers are needed for the apple pie baking competition. Past year's entries have included double-crust pies, streusel-topped pies and apple-fruit combinations. Bakers are encouraged to enter the contest by contacting Di Cosola at (630) 305-5252 or email her at dicosolaa@naperville.il.us. Rules are available on the Naper Settlement website, www.napersettlement.org.
Pie judges include State Sen. Mike Connelly, State Rep. Grant Wehrli, Mayor Emeritus George Pradel, Mary Ann Junkroski of the Naper Settlement Museum Board, Ed Kuhrt of Naperville Hose Company No. 1, and Stephanie Penick, publisher of Positively Naperville.
Games and activities include a candy walk, an egg relay race, a children's coloring contest, a hula hoop contest, cookies and lemonade available for 25 cents each and a Joe Naper Fire Pumper demonstration at 2:45 p.m. The Naperville Riverwalk Pickers will give strolling musical performances featuring bluegrass music throughout the 12-acre museum campus.
About Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society
Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor museum set on 12 magnificent acres in the heart of Naperville, where history comes to play and community comes to connect. The Naperville Heritage Society is the administrator of Naper Settlement. With a commitment to the community and a focus to the future, the mission of the Naperville Heritage Society is to collect, document, preserve and support the history of Naperville, Illinois, past and present. For more information, visit napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.