New events proposed for Naper Settlement in 2020 include a Naperville Pride celebration, a new wine fest called Naperville Uncorked and Homefront 1940s Weekend.
The lineup additions come in the wake of announcements that the Naperville Wine Festival and Christkindlmarket had been canceled this year and Civil War Days would not be returning next year.
“Part of our mission is to serve as a community gathering place, as requested by Caroline Martin Mitchell when she bestowed these lands to the city,” Naper Settlement spokeswoman Abbey Bobzin said of the 13-acre history museum campus. “Bringing dynamic events, old and new, to Naper Settlement’s grounds not only generates revenue for the museum, but provides a place for the community to connect with their families, friends and neighbors.”
While the events have been penciled in on next year’s schedule, the city of Naperville still needs to grant approval and issue the necessary permits.
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The Naperville Pride gathering is being organized by Naperville’s newly formed Naper Pride group and planned for August 2020.
A special event application has been submitted to the city and the group is working on an application for a grant from Naperville’s Special Events and Cultural Amenities fund.
Organizers said they are planning a family-friendly event that will have a vintage circus theme, with acts like a sword swallowing and fire juggling. Animals won’t be part of the activities, but there will be an area devoted to local animal rescue and adoption.
Naper Pride also hopes to partner with local theater groups for actors and volunteers, and the group is currently looking for a musical act, organizers said. Small business vendor booths will be available.
The first couple hours of the festival will be toned-down in order to provide a quieter atmosphere for people 65-and-older and those with sensory disorders, organizers said.
There would be a small, all-inclusive charge to get into the event, with some of the proceeds going to groups like Youth Outlook, 360 Youth Services and the Alive Center.
Naperville Uncorked is “designed to be a new iteration of the beloved wine festival held here previously,” Bobzin said. It’s proposed for July 25, 2020, and is being organized by Lou Dog events, which hosts Naperville Ale Fest every summer and winter.
Another new event for 2020 will focus on World War II with a Homefront 1940s Weekend planned. The event was unveiled the same day Naper Settlement announced Civil War Days would not be returning to the museum next year after a 37-year run.
Naper Settlement officials cited a 52% decline in attendance, 50% decline in revenue and a 35% decline in reenactor participation since 2015.
The Homefront 1940s Weekend is being planned to include activities like radio shows, 1940s swing dancing, jazz music, a fashion show, film screenings and military vehicles.
The Homefront Weekend will be coupled with an exhibit on loan from the National World War II museum, and is expected to showcase how people supported the war.
ehegarty@tribpub.com
