WGN Block Party showcases downtown Naperville
From the earliest shots of beverages brewed by Sparrow Coffee to the final views of a concert on a stage near the Riverwalk, the WGN Block Party on Friday morning put Naperville on display through live TV.
The fourth annual celebration hosted by the station's morning news team came to Naperville at the suggestion of the Downtown Naperville Alliance, which applied to host the festival and parade in the city's commercial core.
One of the early segments featured Katie Wood, executive director of the downtown alliance, answering an anchor's question about what downtown has to offer.
Spas, restaurants, places to stay, local and national retailers, she said, all found within a welcoming atmosphere.
"We check all the boxes in Naperville," Wood said in her on-air cameo.
Introductory clips featured during the four-hour show included shots of the Riverwalk and Naper Settlement and recognized Naperville as the birthplace of WGN weather forecaster Paul Konrad.
Traffic reporter Sarah Jindra ascended Moser Tower to give one report from beside the bells of the Millennium Carillon. Nichols Library made several appearances in the background and was closed until 1 p.m. Friday because of block party crowds and traffic control. And a parade toward the end of the 6 to 10 a.m. show included Rotary clubs, high school marching bands, Naperville Trolley, the Naperville Jaycees and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.
The block party drew residents to bounce houses and dunk tanks set up along Jackson Avenue, centered on the Dandelion Fountain at Webster Street along the Riverwalk.
The city's special events and cultural amenities fund supported the occasion with roughly $15,000 for police, fire and public works services.