Windmill Festival Returns This Weekend In Batavia

BATAVIA, IL — Windmill Festival, Batavia's largest event of the summer, returns with a carnival and all this weekend.

The Batavia Riverwalk will come alive with activities Friday through Sunday. The festival, organized by the City of Batavia and the Batavia Park District, will run from 5-11 p.m. Friday, from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

On Saturday, pets will compete for "Best Overall" in five categories: Best Kisser, Best Trick, Highest Jump, Best Costume and Most Unusual. Saturday activities will also include the Toss Chuck the Duck into a hoop challenge at the Depot Museum and the Sidewalk Chalk Contest.

Sunday, runners will race in the Windmill Whirl 5K along the Fox River. Racers will take off at 8 a.m. This year, the event also includes a new stroller division and a one-mile race for kids 10 and under. The Big Wheels/Trike Race for ages 2-8 and the Batavia Mothers Club Foundation’s Diaper Derby, for babies between 6-15 months, will also take place Sunday.

Also happening Sunday is the Community Craft Fair from noon to 5 p.m.

No festival would be complete without food, and the Windmill Festival will feature a food court with options including pizza, tacos, barbecue and shaved ice. At the beer garden, fest-goers can grab craft beer from Sturdy Shelter Brewing.

Seven live acts are slated to perform throughout the weekend. Here's the schedule:

Friday

• 6-8 p.m. — Hillbilly Rockstarz
• 9-11 p.m. — Hi Infidelity

Saturday

• 3-5 p.m. — Kaleidoscope Eyes
• 6-8 p.m. — Libido Funk Circus
• 9-11 p.m. — Radio Gaga

Sunday

• 1-3 p.m. — Brass on Fire
• 4-6 p.m. — This End Up