BatFest a loud er, load, of fun

In her red polka-dot dress and Minnie Mouse ears, 3-year-old Aubrie Christiansen of North Aurora looked as though she was about to pour tea for her little friends.But she put her lady-like behavior aside long enough to be the first winner in the screaming contest Saturday at the Riverwalk in Batavia.Aubrie won in the girls ages 1 to 4 category and proudly showed her orange ribbon to her parents Jason and Julie, who were experiencing BatFest for the first time.Aubrie was one of about 50 costumed children who entered the contest. Competition was divided into seven categories.The winners, according to master of ceremonies Craig Foltos of Batavia, had to scream the loudest and the longest. Alexandra Nelson, 13, of Batavia, actually practiced, but lost in the girls 10 to 14 category to her girlfriend Renee Millette, also 13. "This was my third contest and the first one I've lost," Nelson said. Her disappointment was soothed by seeing her friend win.Donna Pelletier of Geneva, whose son Andrew took second place in the boys 10 to 14 category, won in the girls 15 and older category."I just thought I'd try it," she said, laughing.The other winners were Zack Kajmowiez of North Aurora in the boys 1 to 4 category; Jake Gibson of Batavia in the boys 5 to 9 category, Cassidy Baumann of Batavia in girls 5 to 9 category and Zack Meyer of Batavia in boys 10 to 14. Zack wore his Batavia Mariners baseball uniform. Each of the winners received a ribbon, a coupon for ice cream and a $5 gift certificate at Target.BatFest, sponsored by Batavia MainStreet, also featured a blood drive, the Wanda the Witch scavenger hunt, a costume contest, a pie-making contest and games for the children."I call it the festival with a heart," said Britta McKenna of Batavia MainStreet. "We don't charge the nonprofit groups for a booth and the Batavia Food Pantry is here collecting for their shelves. And it's free." 512337Maecy Ashmore, 5, left and Elizabeth Moore, 7, both of Batavia, give it their all while competing Saturday in a screaming contest at BatFest.Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer 512267Jake Gibson, 7, of Batavia, covers his ears while competing Saturday in a screaming contest at BatFest. He won first place in the boys ages 5 to 9 division.Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer