‘Music, laughter and memories’: Windmill City Festival returns this week to Batavia Riverwalk
Get ready for a three-day summer event full of excitement, entertainment, and community fun at Batavia’s signature summer celebration, Windmill City Festival. The festival brings the community together with live music, family-friendly activities, carnival rides, a beer garden and food court at the scenic Batavia Riverwalk.
The free family festival organized by Batavia Park District, city of Batavia and Batavia Depot Museum kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, July 10, and runs through 6 p.m. Sunday, July 12.
New offerings this year include bingo presented by the Batavia Overseas VFW Post in the beer garden, a daylong art show at the Callahan Community Center, an art class for kids, a presentation by FrogLady, fitness class demonstrations and fun family activities. A full schedule is available at bataviaparks.org/windmill-city-fest.
“At the Windmill City Fest, Batavia comes alive with music, laughter, and memories that last long after the festival ends. We’re proud to help create experiences that bring people together and celebrate the spirit of our community,” said Park District Executive Director Allison Niemela.
One of the most popular draws of the festival is the band lineup, said Brittany Meyer, park district director of community recreation. “Each year, we look for popular bands that put on a lively show,” she said. Seven popular local bands will perform, with Kashmir, a Led Zeppelin tribute band, starting the show at 6 p.m. Friday. Sixteen Candles, the popular 1980s band, follows at 9 p.m.
Saturday features fan favorites This End Up Band at 3 p.m., Libido Funk Circus at 6 p.m. and 7th heaven at 9 p.m. Sunday kicks off with Beyond the Blonde, a tribute band showcasing the songs of PINK, Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga, at 1 p.m. and wraps with Simple Remedy, a country, soul, rock and blues band, at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, festivalgoers can test their luck and enjoy some friendly competition with bingo with cash prizes in the beer garden from noon to 3 p.m. Cost is $1 per card or a sheet of six cards for $6. “We added bingo because we wanted to add more adult daytime activities to the festival,” Meyer said. “When we announced the addition a few months ago, we had a lot of interest from the community.”
The Golf Challenge is a great way for golfers to test their skills and attempt to hit the ball onto a floating green on Depot Pond. This year’s prize for a hole-in-one is a Garmin Golf watch. Prizes will be awarded to those who hit the ball on the green. Try your luck with six shots for $5.
The Callahan Community Center will host indoor events and activities for festivalgoers on Friday and Saturday. The building will be open during festival hours as a place to cool off. A free Fine Art Fest by Water Street Studios from noon to 8 p.m. showcases sculpture, pottery, paintings, drawings, jewelry, digital art and textiles. From 1 to 2:30 p.m. young artists can create their own masterpieces in a free Art with Abrakadoodle class.
On Sunday, the Callahan Center will feature free fitness demonstrations for ages 16 and up. Try the dance fitness class WERQ at noon or Jukebox Dance at 12:25 p.m. Family activities for children age 12 and under run from 1 to 3 p.m.
Artists ages 15 and older will have the opportunity to help paint panels of the new Peace Out Batavia mural, which will adorn the sides of the Peace Pedestrian Ramp on the east side of the peace bridge. This is a paint-by-number project, and all supplies will be provided. Mural painting will be offered from 5-8 p.m. Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
“The Peace Ramp community mural is a legacy project created by the people of Batavia, one brushstroke at a time,” Niemela said. “We invite everyone, regardless of age or artistic ability, to be part of this project. Years from now, you’ll be able to visit the Peace Plaza and proudly say, ‘I helped create that.’ That’s what makes public art so meaningful. It reflects the heart of the community that built it.”
Free family activities also will be featured on Saturday and Sunday. FrogLady will educate the crowd about amphibians at 1 p.m. Saturday. Win prizes Saturday by entering the Pet Competition at 2 p.m. or the Sidewalk Chalk Contest at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, kids can enter a Sundae Funday ice cream eating contest at noon and make friendship bracelets at 2 p.m. The beloved Diaper Derby for little racers ages 6 to 15 months is at 3 p.m.
A carnival with rides for all ages will run daily during festival hours. Tickets will be available for cash purchase.
When it’s time to take a break from the activities, head over to the Batavia Depot Museum and see the seasonal exhibit “To Secure These Rights …” or check out SootheSpace offered by Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, an area that provides a calm environment for those who need a quiet space.
All weekend long, the Food Court and Beer Garden will serve up delicious food and drink. A variety of cuisines will be showcased at the Food Court, including Asian Food Truck, Cousins Maine Lobster, Flynn D City Grub, Frosty Dogs, Frozen Dreams and Midwest Smoke. Beer garden offerings include craft beer from Sturdy Shelter, a variety of beer, hard seltzer and an alcohol-free beer.
Text “Follow #windmillcityfest” to (630) 879-5235 to receive weather updates and any changing information on the event. Visit windmillcityfest.org for all festival details.