Windmill City Festival tacks on extra day of fun
BATAVIA – Those who attend this month’s Windmill City Festival will have an extra day of fun.
The festival will run from July 10 to July 12, with Sunday being an added day this year. Activities will be centered on the Batavia Riverwalk at Houston Street and Island Avenue.
“It makes more sense to have a weekend festival,” said Allison Sohr, Batavia Park District’s director of marketing and public relations. “We can attract more foot traffic.”
The festival is organized by the Batavia Park District, Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Batavia Depot Museum and the city of Batavia.
In the past, there have been activities during the afternoon on the first day of the festival. This year, the first day has been reconfigured to the evening only, while the rest of the festival will offer full afternoons and evenings of activities.
“It was hard to get people out during the day on a Friday,” Sohr said.
During Windmill City Festival, the Park District will launch paddle boat rentals on Depot Pond. A special boat launch and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 5 p.m. July 10 just north of the Peg Bond Center.
An independent contractor had operated paddleboats at Depot Pond several years ago, Sohr said.
“We’re excited about having paddle boats once again on Depot Pond,” said Carla Hill, director of the Batavia Depot Museum, which is located next to Depot Pond. “We think it will be a fun way for families to spend a sunny afternoon.”
During the festival, the cost to rent the paddleboats will be $5 per half hour. The rental cost will go up to $10 per half hour starting July 13.
Parents might have as much fun as their children at the festival.
A bean bag tournament and a three-on-three basketball tournament are among those activities at the festival geared toward adults.
“Throughout the entire festival, we have activities the adults can do while the little ones stay busy,” Sohr said.
The Batavia Parks Foundation in partnership with Baggo Inc. will host a “Toss for a Cause” bags tournament at 5:30 p.m. July 11. The tournament is open to teams of two ages 12 and up.
Registration forms are available at the Park District Civic Center, 327 W. Wilson St. and the Eastside Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren St. The cost is $25 per team and includes a minimum of three games.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Batavia Parks Foundation and its efforts to bring the SpaceNet back to Engstrom Park.
The SpaceNet, a three-dimensional playground apparatus, was a popular attraction when it was at the park but was vandalized and removed from the site.
A popular event that will return this year is the Pet Parade, which will step off at 10 a.m. Saturday on the Main Stage. Parade participants must register prior to the parade between 9:15 and 9:50 a.m. by the main stage.
Prizes will be awarded in such categories as best kisser, best costume, fastest-wagging tail and longest ears.
Children will also be able to test their pedal power in the ’Lil 500 Big Wheel Races at 1 p.m. Sunday. There are three age categories: 2-year-olds, 3- and 4-year-olds, and 5- and 6-year-olds.
Kids and adults alike also can see how much ice cream they can devour during the “Get Your Mind in the Gutter” ice cream eating contest at 2 p.m. Sunday.
A carnival will also operate all three days of the festival, and live bands will play on the festival’s main stage.
“We did not skimp on entertainment this year,” Sohr said.
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Musical entertainment on the Main Stage
FRIDAY, JULY 10
6 to 8 p.m. – Michael Heaton Band – Blend of rock, country and pop.
8:30 to 11 p.m. – Dot, Dot, Dot – Performing songs from their TV appearances, past and present hits and their own original material
SATURDAY, JULY 11
6 to 8 p.m. – Lazy Maybes – Classic rock, modern rock, funk, country, and hip-hop (in their own unique way).
8:30 to 11 p.m. – Lounge Puppets – Tribute to 80's hair bands.
SUNDAY, JULY 12
2 to 4 p.m. – Cavern Beat – Beatles tribute band
5 to 7:30 p.m. – Pirates Over 40 – Renditions of Jimmy Buffett favorites mixed in with an eclectic mix of oldies, reggae and classic rock.
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If you go
Batavia Windmill City Festival
When: July 10 to July 12
Where: Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue
Information: www.bataviaparks.org