Look for Karen Hollenbeck, Bob Hansen and other volunteers in the weeks leading up to the Windmill City Festival in Batavia, and you may find them assembling and swiping white primer across 7-foot-high wooden windmills.
Hollenbeck, executive director of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce; Hansen, a business owner and member of the chamber; and others are making about 50 windmills in preparation for the city’s annual community festival, scheduled for July 12 and 13.
Windmills already are a symbol of this city, which once was home to a windmill manufacturer. But these quaint energy-producing structures will be an even more common sight in Batavia as the two-day festival nears.
Just as Chicago put cows on parade, the organizations behind the festival will display the windmills downtown. The organizers are the Chamber of Commerce, the Batavia Park District and Batavia MainStreet.
The windmills will be bought by local businesses, which will decorate them.
“They can put their logo on them, paint them, be creative,” Hollenbeck said.
“I’m sure we’re going to get some funky ones. It’s going to be a hoot.”
Eventually, the windmills will be auctioned to support local charities.
In the meantime, organizers are counting on the windmills to pique enthusiasm for the festival, which provides a wide range of family fun and entertainment.
“It’s a real community get-together. It just has a real small-town family atmosphere,” said Hansen, who has worked on the festival since it began.
This is the 12th year the event has been held; up to 20,000 people have attended in past years.
“We bring a blanket and go to listen to the music on Friday and Saturday nights. I see so many people there I know,” said Linnea Miller, a member of the MainStreet board who has taken part in the event for six years.
The colorfully adorned or painted windmills, of course, will be in keeping with the event’s theme and the city’s history.
“Windmills add so much history and ambience to Batavia,” Hollenbeck said.
When the chamber created the festival, it was seen as a way to attract shoppers to downtown.
Batavia MainStreet and the park district got involved as the event grew.
“It started out as a flea market. It’s kind of snowballed over the years into what it is today,” said Allison Sohr, the park district’s director of marketing and public relations.
The district’s input and assistance was needed as the event blossomed to include a host of attractions, including musical entertainment, carnival rides, food booths, children’s games, a 7K run and face-painting.
Miller savors the community fellowship that the festival generates and likes getting the chance to see Batavia at night and from a slightly different perspective.
“One of the things I really enjoy is seeing the carnival lights reflect on the river. It’s just gorgeous,” she said.
Don’t miss these events
Organizers of the Windmill City Festival in Batavia agree there are a couple of events that visitors should not miss.
These events are favorites because they are fun–and because they depend on the input of residents and attendees who provide the entertainment.
Another plus is that both are free, said Allison Sohr, director of marketing and public relations for the Batavia Park District.
Batavia Street Musicians: This all-volunteer group of local performers will play from 6 to 8 p.m. July 12. Bring a blanket, grab a bite to eat from one of the food booths, then sit, listen and enjoy the reflection of the carnival lights on the Fox River. Sohr said listening to the music as the sun sets is one her favorite festival activities.
Pet Parade: The event, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. July 13, tends to bring out the fun and wacky side of the two-legged participants and their furry friends, said Bob Hansen, a member of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. This year’s parade will have a sports theme. Whether a calico cat comes dressed in golf togs or a puppy tries to mimic a basketball star, pets and their owners are expected to dress in attire honoring their favorite sports stars or teams. More than 75 pets and 200 owners are expected to participate. Prizes will be awarded to the youngest pet, oldest pet, best owner and pet look-alike, and most unusual pet. Pet owners must register between 10:15 and 11 a.m. July 13 at the main stage at the Peg Bond Center, 151 N. Island Ave.
— Annemarie Mannion
Festival facts
The Windmill City Festival officially will run from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 12 and 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on July 13. (Some events will begin earlier.)
Attractions–food booths, a carnival and an arts-and-crafts show, for example–will take place on Houston Street and Island Avenue in Batavia.
The main stage will be at the Peg Bond Center, 151 N. Island Ave. (Entertainment is subject to change without notice.)
Entrance to the festival is free, though there are charges for food and some events.
July 12 highlights
Cheer on the kids at the Kids’ Riverwalk Run, 10 a.m. For ages 4-12.
Take in the Youth Sidewalk Sale, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Watch the Youth Tennis Tournament, 1 to 4 p.m. For ages 7-15
Check out the water games and contests at Hall Quarry Beach’s Freaky Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Children’s entertainer Dave Rudolph will perform from 4 to 5 p.m.
There will be shows by the Radio Disney AM 1300 Party Patrol from 5 to 6 p.m.
Video Stars, a group that performs ’80s hits by such groups as the Go-Go’s and Duran Duran, will take the stage from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
July 13 highlights
Begin your day at the farmers market, 8 a.m. to noon.
Get going with the Windmill Whirl Community 7K Run, 9 a.m.
Browse the flea market, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy the Pet Parade, which steps off at 11:30 a.m.
There will be plenty of music on the main stage that day. Boogie to an array of acts that include the reggae tunes of the Roots Rock Society from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; the rockabilly, swing and jazz played by Big Guitars from Memphis from 8 to 9:30; and the American rock, funk, blues and soul showcased by Downtown Charlie Brown from 10 to 11:30.
Some events require registration and fees. Participants can register on-line at batpkdist.org. The price of a wristband allowing unlimited carnival rides will be $14 per day. For more information on the Windmill City Festival, call 630-879-5235.
— Annemarie Mannion
