Swedish Days Is This Weekend In Geneva: What To Expect

GENEVA, IL — Thousands of people are expected to flock to Geneva next weekend to enjoy food, music and activities for the annual Swedish Days festival.

Swedish Days will take to the streets of downtown Geneva for five days starting Wednesday, June 19. A carnival, a parade, a craft beer tent, nightly entertainment and children's activities are all on the docket.

"Bringing a mix of genres and styles to the festivals is always top of mind," Johanna Patterson, communications director of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. "We begin on Wednesday with the Swedish American Children's Choir as well as Geneva Park District performances and Geneva’s Got Talent semi-finals. This has allowed the Geneva Chamber to bring new bands each evening to Central Stage, Thursday through Saturday. We hope the audience enjoys returning favorites and new additions."

Entertainment

June 19

• A traditional Swedish promenade with music will begin at 4:30 p.m.
• Live performances by Geneva Park District dance and cheer groups will go on at 5:30 p.m. and be followed by performances from the "Geneva's Got Talent" semifinalists.

June 20

• "Geneva's Got Talent" finalists will take the stage at 5 p.m.
• The Flat Cats, a Chicago-based group that plays oldies and modern music, will perform at 7 p.m.

June 21

• Blue Eyed Leo, an acoustic duo with classic rock roots will take to the stage at 3 p.m.
• Rico, a band "with a rich sound of diversified musical cultures," will go on at 5 p.m.
• Libido Funk Circus, a disco tribute band, will end the night with a performance starting at 7 p.m.

June 22

• Basketball will start on Third Street at 4 p.m.
• Classical Blast, performing classic rock music melded with classical music, will take to the stage at 5 p.m.
• The Ron Burgundy's will close out Swedish Days at 7 p.m. The band specializes in yacht rock and softcore hits from the '60s, '70s and '80s.

More performers will go on in the Craft Beer tent from 1-3 p.m. June 19-21.

Street closures

Two streets will close June 18 to make way for festivities. James Street will be shut down from Third to Fourth streets, and Third Street will be blocked off from James to Campbell streets.

The 300 block of James Street will remain closed through June 23, while the Third Street block near the Kane County Courthouse will be shut down through June 22 and will be open most of June 23 except for the parade.

The following streets will be closed for the parade, stepping off at 1 p.m. June 23:

• State Street (Route 38) from Second Street to Logan Avenue on the west side of the Fox River
• Third Street from State Street to Route 31
• Anderson Boulevard from State to Union streets

To get around State Street, drivers should head north on Second Street, west on Stevens Street, north on Edison Street, west on Union Street and south on Logan Avenue to resume westbound travel on Route 38. The detour is reversed for eastbound travelers.

Police will also be using a drone during the parade to provide real-time aerial monitoring for safety.