Batavia, IL: Pre-sale tickets for the August 5th pork chop and chicken barbeque fund raiser to benefit the 2006 summer Shakespeare series are on sale through Friday August 4th. The barbeque is being held on the Riverwalk South Plaza by the pedestrian bridge from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at Sue’s Family Hair Co. (40 N. Island Ave.), at the Batavia MainStreet office (2 E. Wilson St. upstairs) or from a MainStreet volunteer. Pre-sale tickets for the BBQ are $8 each for 1/4 chicken or 1 pork chop dinner, $9 for 2 1/4 chicken, 2 pork chops or combo dinner and $5 for kids’ hot dog plate. Dinner includes baked beans, cole slaw, roll and butter plus drink. Carry out dinners are available at the August 5th barbeque with the price of each dinner $1 higher at the event. MainStreet Promotion Chair, Tonya Schmidt is excited about the upcoming barbeque, “This is the first time we’ve tried a barbeque fundraiser and think it’s a great match with the two final Shakespeare productions. We encourage folks to make it an outdoor Shakespeare picnic, eat at the plaza or carry out and eat at home.”

Shakespeare in the Park patrons are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs prior to the show, and reminded that that no alcohol is permitted in the park. The Batavia Riverwalk is located at 100 S. Island Ave., Batavia, IL 60510 in downtown Batavia. Parking is available at the north city Hall lot, along Houston Street by the Riverwalk and on Island Ave. on the street. All performances are free to the public with a “pass the hat” free will offering before each adult performance to help offset costs. Shakespeare in the Park is presented by MainStreet and sponsored in part by a grant from the Friends of the Riverwalk.

The summer 2006 MainStreet Shakepeare-a-palooza final evening August 5th schedule includes:
4:30 – 7 pm – Shakespeare BBQ Fundraiser (pork chops and chicken) – Batavia Riverwalk S. Plaza
5:00 pm – “Midsummer Night’s Dream” – First Street Playhouse Youth performance – Riverwalk east stage
7:00 pm – “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” adult oriented comedy spoof of Shakespeare’s plays– Riverwalk east stage

A listing of events in downtown Batavia may be found at www.downtownbatavia.com.

The Batavia MainStreet Program is one of 64 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 the office at (630) 761-3528, email britta@downtownbatavia.com or check online at www.downtownbatavia.com.