Batavia's Windmill City Festival features friendly competition
The Batavia Park District is striving to give residents a reason to leave the cool confines of their homes and venture out into the heat.
Beginning Friday at 4 p.m., the Batavia Windmill City Festival will provide 2 1/2 days of food, entertainment and activities for all ages with the focused goal of cool and cost-effective fun.
The Windmill City Festival, located on the Batavia Riverwalk, goes through 7 p.m. Sunday and boasts free admission and free parking north of the government center. Food, beverages, handmade goods and more can be purchased throughout the festival. Approximately 13,000 people are expected to attend.
The fun kicks off with the Houston Street carnival and includes popular events from last year - such as the ice cream eating contest, the pet parade and the fire hose challenge - as well as a new four-on-four football tournament. Preregistration is required for the tournament, but all other activities are open to walk-ups.
"The Windmill City Festival has a palette to please all ages," said Allison Niemela, marketing director for the park district, "starting from 6 months of age with the Diaper Derby to paddle boats, which can be enjoyed by everyone, to events for those who are athletic and events for busy moms who need something to do for kids and more."
The entertainment has been freshened up this year, according to Niemela. Fans of the hit television show "Minute to Win It" will be able to try similar challenges of their own with the Festival's version, "Win It In A Minute." Organizers have also brought the game Plinko, a popular task on "The Price Is Right," for visitors to try their hand at.
The Festival will once again include the Windmill Whirl 5K Race Friday at 7 p.m., and local live music will be heard throughout the weekend. And, while many of the activities cater toward kids, according to organizers, adults need not be dismayed.
"Come out at night, and it's a whole different festival in the evening," said Britta McKenna, executive director of Batavia Main Street.
"It really transforms. The beer garden opens up, the music changes and it's more for adults."
Festival goers are not the only ones benefiting from the event either. Local community groups will be serving at the beer gardens and receiving a percentage of the profits for their work.
Also, local merchants and artists will have their work on display during Saturday's craft show and flea market. Homemade stained glass, jewelry, clothes greeting cards and more will be for sale, rain or shine.
The festival aims to provide nonstop entertainment, according to Niemela, with activities booked day and night. Sunny weather is expected, but even in the rain, as many events as possible will still go on, including the live music which is located under a covered stage.
"Why sit at home when you can have so much fun out on the Riverwalk?" said Chris Winter of the Batavia Depot Museum, one of the local groups promoting the Windmill City Festival.
"It's such a great location. So much shade and a breeze off (the) river. That's the one day to get out and see what the city has to offer."
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<li><a href="/story/?id=392284">Fire hose challenge offers wet fun for kids<span class="date">[07/08/10]</span></a></li>
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