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Windmill City Festival blows back into Batavia

Windmill City Festival has become a tradition for many Batavia families. Held in the heart of downtown Batavia at the Riverwalk, the festival features countless activities over the course of two and a half days.

Highlights include live bands, a craft and vintage market, a pet parade and an ice cream eating contest. This year's festival will be 5-11 p.m. Friday, July 12; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 13; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 14. Admission is free.

The Windmill City Festival committee includes representatives from the Batavia Park District, Batavia Chamber of Commerce and the city of Batavia.

New this year

The family-friendly Fun Zone is back this summer by popular demand and includes new inflatable attractions such as a Fun Fair Pack, a 3-in-1 Carnival Game and a Slip 'N Slide. You can leap and bounce at everyone's favorite Quad Power Jump, too. Daily inflatable wristbands are available for $15 and allow unlimited entry for a day. Quad Power Jump tickets are $5 each. Visit the festival website for the full list of all the Fun Zone attractions and hours.

The Fun Zone will also have a new Gaming Trailer. Teens, tweens and adults can enjoy 30 minutes of gaming fun for just $20. The trailer features game favorites such as Madden, NHL, Mario Party and more.

If you love this annual festival as much as its organizers do, you can take home a souvenir. Choose from a new collectible can or cup koozie to keep your drink cool, or a Batavia T-shirt to show off your town pride. Koozies are available for $3 each and T-shirts for $20 each.

Festival organizers are excited to welcome Deb Krohn, fondly known as "The Frog Lady," from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Pet Parade. Do not miss the chance to visit with her unique critters. Pet Parade participants can register from 9:15-9:50 a.m. near the Main Stage. Pets can compete for the "best overall" title in five categories: Best Trick, Most Unusual Pet, Best Costume, Highest Jump and Best Kisser.

The first 50 registered participants will receive a complimentary doggy "s-wag" bag to take home.

Throwback activities

In honor of the Batavia Park District's 50th anniversary, Windmill City Festival will host a handful of throwback activities.

Batavia MainStreet has organized a Boo Boo Days revival as part of Second Fridays from 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 12. Select downtown businesses will have deep discounts and showcase "Boo Boo" clearance items. MainStreet will also be hosting a free Tug-of-War activity at 7 p.m. Friday in Appleton Park behind City Hall.

Come watch Batavia's finest at the Talent Show at noon Saturday, July 13, on the Main Stage.

Unique offerings

Two, 50-foot gutters will house hundreds of scoops of ice cream for the ice cream eating contest at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14. Participants will be divided into age categories and will compete against other ice cream enthusiasts to see who can finish their scoops the fastest. No hands allowed!

Tee one up at this year's Golf Challenge. Youth ages 10 and older can take a shot at chipping a hole in one on a floating green in the Depot Pond. The cost is $5 for six balls. Hours are 5-8 p.m. Friday, July 12; noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 13; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 14.

  Lexi Wilbrandt, 11, of Elgin competes in the fire hose challenge with her grandmother, Trish Bowman of Elgin, with help from Chuck Kuhn of Batavia on Sunday during the final day of Windmill City Festival in Batavia. Morgan Timms/mtimms@dailyherald.com

Favorite traditions

The Batavia Mother's Club Foundation will once again host the Diaper Derby at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 13, underneath the big festival tent.

Participants ages 6-15 months will compete in this "crawling race" to win prizes. Register by the Main Stage beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The Chuck the Duck Race takes place at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 14. Compete in this water activity to see who can send Chuck the Duck across the finish line first. Participants must be at least 5 years old.

Fun for adults

The festival offers a variety of activities for the big kid in you, including a bags tournament, live music and an adult division in the ice cream eating contest.

Grab a partner and "Toss for a Cause" in the Batavia Parks Foundation's annual bags tournament at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 13. Teams of two can participate for just $25. Cash prizes will go to the top two teams. After the bags tournament, be sure to stop by the food booths and beer garden.

For information about Windmill City Festival or for a schedule of music and events, visit windmillcityfest.org.

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