Batavia, IL:BatFest 2007 invites local community groups and crafters to participate on Saturday October 27th at the Batavia Riverwalk. Local community groups are invited to host a fund raising activity for their organization - a bake sale, items to sell or sponsor a free game to promote their organization. There is no fee for non-profit groups to participate, but organizations must reserve space with Batavia MainStreet by calling 761-3528 or emailing britta@downtownbatavia.com.

Crafters and artists with fall related merchandise and artwork are encouraged to register for BatMart from Noon-3 p.m. The deadline for vendors to register is Friday October 19th. All vendors must be pre-registered for the event and should call the Batavia MainStreet office at 761-3528 to have a registration form mailed to them if they have not received one. Forms for community groups and BatMart booth space are available on the website at www.downtownbatavia.com with the deadline of Friday October 19th to reserve a space.

BatFest is also looking for blood donors. The Dracula Blood Drive is Saturday October 27th at City Hall from 8 a.m. – Noon. Volunteers are needed to sign up as blood donors as well as to assist at the blood drive. Donors should call Sue’s Family Hair Co. at 879-2278 to secure a time slot or stop by in person (139 S Batavia Ave in downtown Batavia). A mobile RV will be parked outside City Hall with registration in the lobby area by the police department. Heartland Blood Center encourages donors to “give a pint for a quart,” as they are rewarding donors with a certificate for a free quart of Oberweis ice cream.

BatFest also features a chance to help out our local 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.

Other BatFest activities include: NAMI BatRun, downtown trick-or treating and “Wanda the Witch Scavenger Hunt” from 10 am – Noon, BatFest Stories, Mothers’ Club Parade, games and contests plus a Farmer’s Market and BatMart on the Riverwalk. A schedule of activities for BatFest is located at www.downtownbatavia.com.

BatFest is presented by Batavia MainStreet in partnership with Batavia Park District, Batavia Mother’s Club, Batavia Public Library, BATV, Batavia Chamber of Commerce and the City of Batavia. Sponsors for BatFest include: Vampire Bats: LaSalle Bank, Old Second Bank and Provena-Mercy Medical Center, Brown Bat: Dr. John Wazio plus event sponsors Harris N.A. (Blood Drive), Shelter Insurance, Michael Hanrahan (Downtown Trick or Treating)- and Hayrides (Hohmann family and Batavia Park District). For more information, please contact the Batavia MainStreet office at 630-761-3528, email britta@downtownbatavia.com or check the schedule of events 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 Britta McKenna at (630) 761-3528 or email britta@downtownbatavia.com.