Fri October 16, 2009
BATAVIA MAINSTREET NEWS RELEASE
4 ½ W. Wilson St.
Batavia, IL 60510
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Britta McKenna
October 16, 2009 Batavia MainStreet
(630) 761-3528
britta@downtownbatavia.com
2009 Batfest Invites Area Ghosts and Goblins to Downtown Batavia
Batavia, IL: BatFest 2009 is gearing up for its’ 9th year of spooktacular fun in downtown Batavia on Saturday October 24th in a day chalked full of activities for the community. The day starts out with the 3rd Annual NAMI BatRun at 9:00 a.m. at the Riverwalk. BatRun benefits the local offices of the National Association for the Mentally Impaired. Information on NAMI may be found at namidkk.org or register onsite at 7:30 the day of the race. Do you need a Bat Schedule? Check online at downtownbatavia.com or stop by the Chamber of Commerce office at 106 W. Wilson Street (old post office) for a schedule and Wanda the Witch Hunt information from 9:30 a.m. – Noon.
Downtown Trick-or-Treating hours are officially from 10 am – Noon at participating downtown Batavia businesses displaying a colorful “Trick-or-Treat Here” poster in their window. These businesses are located on Wilson Street, Rt. 31, N. River Street and Island Ave with a few on First Street. While kids are trick-or-treating, they should be looking for “Wanda the Witch” along the way for a special surprise if they find her!
A second year event is the BatFest Pumpkin Roll down the Houston Street Hill from 11 am to 3 pm. Houston Street will be closed from Rt. 31 to the McDonald’s drive thru entrance during the event, but cars may cross N. Water Street assisted by an ESDA. Rollers may provide their own pumpkin or purchase one from the scout troop by the registration area outside the Batavia Depot Museum. The entry fee is $1.00 per pumpkin per roll and the winner is determined by how far the pumpkin rolls. The winning roller receives 50% of the entry fees and the remaining funds go back to support BatFest. All pumpkins must be registered and inspected prior to their roll. This event is as much fun for spectators as it is for the rollers.
BatFest also features a chance to help out the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry from Noon -3 p.m. at the Riverwalk. Families wishing to take a hayride should bring a canned good or offer a cash donation in return for the hayride to help restock the Food Pantry’s shelves.
BatFest Stories and Songs is at the Batavia Public Library is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. outside in the courtyard, followed by the ever popular Mother’s Club Halloween Parade that steps off at 1:00 p.m. from the library courtyard and ends at the Riverwalk. The Costume Contest is hosted by BATV and held at 1:30 at the main stage by the D.J. Prize categories for 2009 include: classic Halloween, group/family theme, superhero, princess and scary.
Local community groups are setting up booths to have fun and raise funds for their organizations. The following groups have registered to participate: Batavia American Legion Post 504, Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry, Batavia Mother’s Club, BHS Key Club, BHS Robotics, Cub Scout Packs 103 & 121, Dynamic Dance Allstars, Kiwanis Club of Batavia, United Way and Water Street Studios.
BatFest features food by event sponsor The RendezVu Restaurant for lunch and afternoon treats as well as Paw Paw Farms (applies and cider), Dot, Dot Dot cookies, plus treats from area businesses. The popular BatArt tent features free crafts for kids in the event tent and is hosted by the Batavia Mothers’ Club volunteers. Batavia Park District Games & Activities take place in the grassy area by the Peg Bond Center from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. BatFest decorations are sold at 2:45 – anyone interested in hay bales, corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds, mums or Indian corn may purchase items at 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. at the information tent.
Other events part of BatFest include, The Albright Theatre Company’s production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” with shows on Friday night and Saturday during BatFest weekend in the 3rd floor attic of City Hall. More information and reservations are available at 630-406-8838 or albrighttheatre.com.
NEW to BatFest this year is the Batavia Public Library “Library Links” miniature golf experience on Sunday October 25th from 1-5 pm. Putt along the library stacks to benefit the Batavia Library Foundation; children in costume receive a discount. Contact the Batavia Public Library at 630-879-1393 for more information.
BatFest is presented by Batavia MainStreet in partnership with Batavia Park District, Batavia Mother’s Club, Batavia Public Library, BATV, Batavia Chamber of Commerce, BATV, the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and the City of Batavia. Sponsors for BatFest include: Vampire Bats: 5/3 Bank, Harris Bank and SignTech; Grey Bats: Old Second Bank, Shelter Insurance, The RendezVu Restaurant and Valley Community Bank; Brown Bat: Dr. John Wazio and Image Awards & Engraving. For more information, please contact the Batavia MainStreet office at 630-761-3528, email britta@downtownbatavia.com or check the schedule of events at downtownbatavia.com.
The Batavia MainStreet Program is one of 55 not-for-profit, community based organizations in the state of Illinois. The mission of Batavia MainStreet is to enhance the identity of Batavia’s downtown area as the heart of our community. MainStreet members work through the four points: Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization and Promotion to improve the downtown district. MainStreet volunteers believe the revitalization of Downtown Batavia is essential to our community’s sense of pride, place, and heritage for this and future generations. For more information Batavia MainStreet or to volunteer, please contact Britta McKenna at (630) 761-3528 or email britta@downtownbatavia.com.
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