Your 2019 Guide to Swedish Days in Geneva

GENEVA, IL — Geneva's 70th Annual Swedish Days Festival kicks off Tuesday, June 18 and runs through Sunday, June 23. More than 200,000 visitors and residents stop by for a variety of activities, according to the event webiste. The festival has free admission with easy access via Metra. According to genevachamber.com, this year's festival highlights include:

• Shopping and Treasures: Merchant side-walk sales offering “must-have” bargains in Geneva’s 100-plus specialty shops. Downtown patrons can enjoy Moonlight Madness on Tuesday evening where shops will remain open until 9 p.m. The festival's Art & Craft Show returns Friday and Saturday only.
• Free Entertainment: Free nightly musical entertainment on Central Stage kicks off Wednesday with the Geneva Park District performances and Geneva’s Got Talent. Thursday to Saturday, a variety of bands take the Swedish Days stage.Festival patrons can grab a bite to eat and relax from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons for concerts on the courthouse lawn.A car show debuts on South Third Street from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday featuring food, DJ and a free photo booth.
• Food Booths: Festival-goers can feast on traditional Swedish, American and ethnic foods including, brats, ribs, turkey legs, veggie burgers, wood smoked pork sandwiches, meatballs, pizza, garlic crab pasta and burritos to name a few at the many non-profit food booths. Sinfully good desserts will also be available.
• Restaurants, Pizzerias and Pubs: Do not forget all the fine restaurants in Geneva. From casual bistros to 5-star formal dining, a day in Geneva is not complete without sampling one or more of our fine restaurants and eateries. Or stop by one of the beer gardens that will offer good food, drink, and entertainment during the festival. Visit the Geneva Chamber of Commerce's website for a listing of our 40+ restaurants, pizzerias and pubs.
• Children's Activities (more details below).
• The Swedish Days 5K Lopp: Located along the scenic Fox River in Geneva, the Swedish Days 5K Lopp promises an unbelievable race experience. As part of the Swedish Days Festival, we encourage participants to tie-in with the Scandinavian theme with their attire. More race information is available online.
• Grand Parade (more details below): At 1 p.m. Sunday, bring some chairs and blankets so the entire family can enjoy the Grand Parade – truly a community parade that over 45,000 will be viewing. Former alderman Robert Langeness will serve as the 2019 Swedish Day Parade marshal.

>> See carnival features and schedule online.

Swedish Days events and activities schedule:

Tuesday, June 18

• Moonlight Madness: All day; many shops open late this night as some of the best deals of the year run throughout the day from Swedish Day merchants.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Fun at the Library Tent - Geneva Public Library, 127 James Street.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Exhibitions - Geneva History Museum, 113 S. Third Street.
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Geneva History Museum Trolley Tours - departs from NW corner James & Third streets (by Dala Horse bike racks).
• 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Toddler Town - James & S. Fourth streets.
• 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Carnival/Windy City Amusements - Courthouse Parking Lot,
  James & S. Fourth streets.
• 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Craft Brew Tent- Campbell Street, west of Third Street.

Wednesday, June 19

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Creation Station - Campbell St., west of Third Street (new location); rain location at Sounds Like Music, 224 W. State St., Geneva.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Fun at the Library Tent - Geneva Public Library, 127 James Street.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Free Face Painting - Courthouse Lawn, S. Third Street.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Exhibitions - Geneva History Museum, 113 S. Third Street.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Discovery Tent - Campbell Street (in front of Country Naturals).
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Geneva History Museum Trolley Tours - departs from NW corner James & Third streets (by Dala Horse bike racks).
• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Toddler Town - James and S. Fourth streets.
• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Carnival/Windy City Amusements - Courthouse Parking Lot, James and S. Fourth streets.
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Concerts on the Lawn - Courthouse Lawn. S. Third Street.
• 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Craft Crew Tent - Campbell Street, west of Third Street.
• 4 p.m.: Swedish American Children's Choir
• 5 p.m.: Geneva Park District
• 6:30 p.m.: Geneva's Got Talent Semi-Finals

Thursday, June 20

• 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Geneva Settler's Coffee - Geneva Golf Club, 831 S. Street.
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Creation Station - Campbell Street, West of Third Street (new location).
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Fun at the Library Tent - Geneva Public Library, 127 James Street.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Face Free Painting - Courthouse Law, South Third Street.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Exhibitions - Geneva History Museum, 113 S. Third Street.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Discovery Tent - Campbell Street (in front of Country Naturals).
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Geneva History Museum Trolley Tours - departs from NW corner of James and Third streets (by Dala Horse bike racks).
• 11 a.m. to 8 pm.: Toddler Town - James and S. Fourth streets.
• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Carnival/Windy City Amusements - Courthouse Parking Lot,
  James and S. Fourth streets.
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Concerts on the Lawn - Courthouse Lawn, S. Third Street.
• 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Craft Brew Tent - Campbell St., west of Third Street.
• 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Car Show - S. Third St. (between South and Crescent).
• 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Annual Used Book Sale - Geneva Public Library, 127 James Street.
• 5 p.m.: Geneva's Got Talent Finals -Central Stage - S. Third at Courthouse - R/J Recording & Sound.
• 7 p.m.: Planet Groove -Central Stage - S. Third at Courthouse - R/J Recording & Sound.

Friday, June 21 - Kids' Day

• 9 a.m.: Geneva Park District Dodgeball Tournament - Wheeler Park (Rt. 31).
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Annual Used Book Sale -Geneva Public Library, 127 James Street.
• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Discovery Tent - Campbell Street (in front of Country Naturals).
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Fun at the Library Tent - Geneva Public Library, 127 James Street.
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Art & Craft Show - S. 2nd Street and E. James Street.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Exhibitions - Geneva History Museum, 113 S. Third Street.
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Creation Station - Campbell St., west of Third Street; New location (American Science & Surplus).
• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Toddler Town - James and S. Fourth streets.
• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Carnival/Windy City Amusements - Courthouse Parking Lot, James and S. Fourth streets.
• Several activities and events happening 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Geneva Bank & Trust, A Wintrust Community Bank - Courthouse Lawn (next to Info Booth).
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Chicago Steel Hockey Team/Fox Valley Ice Arena - S. Third Street.
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: St. Charles Bowl - S. Third St. St. Charles Bowl.

Kids’ Day Parade:

• 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Check In for Kids’ Day Parade - Geneva Public Library Lawn, Second and James Streets. Get creative and enter in one of these parade categories: Swedish Costumes, Decorated Bikes & Trikes, Emoji, Anything Goes, Superheroes. First place in each category will receive a Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream Gift Certificate and first 100 registrants will receive a Buy One, Get One ice-cream coupon for Graham’s at check-in.
• 11:30 am to 12 p.m.: Judging of Parade Entries.
• 12 p.m.: Kick off of Kids’ Day Parade (Line of March: W. on James St. to Third Street to Campbell Street; disperses at Third Street and Campbell Street).
• Awards ceremony will immediately follow.

Friday, June 21 cont.

• 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.: School of Rock Geneva House Band - Central Stage
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Kids' Day Special - Stone Creek Miniature Golf Course, WHeeler Park (Rt. 31).
• 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Craft Brew Tent - Campbell Street, West of Third Street.
• 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.: Cosmic Golf Night - Stone Creek Miniature Golf Course, Wheeler Park (Rt. 31).
• 5 p.m.: Dancing Queen - Central Stage - S. Third at Courthouse - R/J Recording & Sound.
• 7:00 pm - Semple - Central Stage - S. Third at Courthouse - R/J Recording & Sound.

Saturday, June 22

• 7:30 a.m.: Swedish Days 5K Lopp - Gunnar Forest Preserve, 719 S. Batavia Avenue; Kids' Dash is at 7:15 a.m. Register for both online.
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Geneva Lutheran Church Breakfast - 301 S. Third Street.
• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament - Third Street.
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: 49th Annual Granquist Music Competition - Geneva High School,
  416 McKinley Avenue.
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Annual Used Book Sale - Geneva Public Library, 127 James Street.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Swedish Cottage Walk & Viking Ship - Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive; Rosemaling Show - Good Templar Park (Community House); 528 East Side Drive.
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Sweden Väst - S. Fourth & State streets.
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Art & Craft Show – S. 2nd St & E. James St. Sponsored by Little Red Barn Door.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Exhibitions - Geneva History Museum, 113 S. Third Street.
• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Toddler Town - James & S. Fourth streets.
• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Carnival/Windy City Amusements - Courthouse Parking Lot, James & S. Fourth streets.
• 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Craft Brew Tent - Campbell St., west of Third Street.
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Concerts on the Lawn - Danny O'Brien; Courthouse Lawn, S. Third Street.
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Free Face Painting - Courthouse Lawn, S. Third Street.
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Trucks & Ladders Static Display - Third Street between State and James streets.
• 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.: Cosmic Golf Night - Stone Creek Miniature Golf Course, Wheeler Park (Rt. 31).

Sunday, June 23

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Sweden Väst - S. Fourth & State streets
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Swedish Cottage Walk & Viking Ship - Good Templar Park,528 East Side Drive; Rosemaling Show - Good Templar Park (Community House),528 East Side Drive.
• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Toddler Town - James & S. Fourth streets; Carnival/Windy City Amusements - Courthouse Parking Lot, James & S. Fourth streets:

>> See carnival features and schedule online.

• 1 p.m. pm: 70th Annual Swedish Days Parade. Line of March: Anderson Blvd. and Center, south to State, east on State to Third, south on Third to Metra Train Station.

For more information, to register for events or find out more pricing detals and schedules: All details for events, hours, and schedule are available on the Chamber's website or by calling the Geneva Chamber of Commerce at 630-232-6060.