Batavia's Windmill fest bigger than ever

Looking for some new fun when you go to Windmill City Festival this weekend?

"I would place my bet, no pun intended, on Plinko," says Alison Sohr, marketing and public relations director for the Batavia Park District, which organizes the festival.

Yes, Plinko. Just like on "The Price is Right" TV game show, except instead of winning cash, lucky folks will get to drop hockey-puck-sized chips through a vertical maze for chances at prizes, including a Nintendo Wii game system.

Plinko - for adults - and Blinko - a smaller version, for children - can be played from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Batavia Riverwalk, Island Avenue and Houston Street. The fee is $5 for three chances for adults, or $1 for two chances for kids. The money goes to the Batavia Teen Center.

Sohr and the teen center director came up with Plinko when discussing what TV-style games could be adapted as a fundraiser. They discovered they both watch "The Price is Right," and Plinko is Sohr's favorite game.

There's the "Toss for a Cause" bean bag tournament Saturday night, to raise money for a Spacenet playground climber for Engstrom Family Park.

And for runners, the Windmill Whirl 5K run has a new date and time: 7 p.m. Friday, on the Fox River Trail.

"We think runners will benefit tremendously" because they can go get a cold beverage and some dinner at the food tents after, and enjoy the musical entertainment, she said. Previously, the run was held Saturday morning.

And one of the biggest changes is that the festival is a day longer. They added entertainment and food tents on Thursday night. Previously, there were only the carnival rides. People wondered why and suggested adding events.

"Everyone spoke, and we listened," Sohr said.

The festival is from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. For a full schedule, visit the Web at www.bataviaparks.org.