Windmill fest drink sales help nonprofits
If you go to Windmill City Festival in Batavia, be charitable and treat yourself to a beer.
Not just because it's supposed be in the 80s today and Sunday, or because you worked up a thirst trying the new paddleboats on Depot Pond.
Do it for the Batavia firefighters, the Batavia Parks Foundation and the Batavia Lions Club.
In exchange for providing workers for the beer tent, the not-for-profit groups will each receive 10 percent of the proceeds. The firefighters union is raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
"It's a win-win situation," Alison Sohr, marketing director for the Batavia Park District, said of the arrangement. The district organizes the festival for itself, the city and the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.
The festival continues downtown - rain or shine - today and Sunday near the Riverwalk and the Batavia Government Center, Island Avenue and Houston Street.
There will be a craft fair, various contests, games and entertainment today, as well as dodgeball, basketball and tennis tournaments.
The carnival and concessions/Business Showcase tent are open both days. Sunday afternoon, there's the Little 500 Big Wheel race, an ice cream-eating contest and a fire hose challenge.
Friday's weather was little spotty, with morning rain before the festival got rolling, followed by sun, then more clouds before things turned sunny and humid just in time for the 4 p.m. opening of the carnival, food booths and beer garden.
Paddleboat rentals were brisk between 1:30 and 4 p.m.
"We had quite a few people," said Sam Hillis of St. Charles, one of two park district workers monitoring the rentals, which cost $5 per half-hour.
Festival admission is free. Business sponsors, beer sales, food and Business Showcase space rentals and donations help pay for the event.
Money made this year will, in part, be used for deposits for entertainment for next year's festival. The money to pay this year's acts already is in hand.
"We've dealt with inclement weather before. So we are prepared to deal with it again," Sohr said, noting organizers added the large tent for the Business Showcase and the food vendors.
Beer: Fest organizers ready for the rain