Formerly known as Boo Boo Days, Batavia’s Windmill City Festival has long been a staple of the community.
The festival had its humble beginnings as a sidewalk sale in 1956. The idea of Boo Boo Days was introduced by Arthur Swanson of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. The idea was that downtown merchants would set out clearance items, overstock, or end of season goods at deeply discounted prices. It was an instant success!
As the interest (and number of shoppers) grew, Boo Boo Days started adding refreshments and activities for kids so the adults could shop all day. To make employees and festival officials more recognizable, they were issues hats or dressed in costume to match the festival’s theme.
Gradually, the focus of the festival moved away from the bargains. In the 1970s, events such as concerts, the crowning of Miss Batavia, community plays, marathons and even competitions such as the annual Tug of War event were all held during Boo Boo Days. In 1978, the name was officially changed to “Windmill City Fest” to reflect Batavia’s history and to better encompass the city wide – multi day celebration it had become.
Batavians still look forward to the carnival-like event every year, so mark your calendar and be sure to drop by the downtown area to enjoy Batavia’s biggest event of the summer.
2024 Festival Schedule
Friday, July 12
LOCATION: BATAVIA DEPOT MUSEUM, 155 HOUSTON STREET
2:00-7:00 pm – The Depot Museum will be open during the festival. Visit us to take in some history and shop for unique Batavia merchandise!
LOCATION: MAIN STAGE, PEG BOND CENTER (THE RIVERWALK – 151 N. ISLAND AVENUE)
5:00-8:30 pm – Golf Challenge
5:00-10:30 pm – Food & Beer Garden Open
5:00-10:00 pm – Carnival on Houston Street
6:00-8:00 pm – Band: Hillbilly Rockstarz
Versatile band playing top 40 country rock hits and classic rock favorites.
9:00-11:00 pm – Band: Hi Infidelity
Classic rock band playing masterful renditions of ‘80s rock anthems with an extensive setlist.
SOOTHESPACE TENT
Safe sensory space for those who need a quiet place to rest for a moment.
Saturday, July 13
LOCATION: BATAVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, 10 S. BATAVIA AVENUE
10:00 am-12:00 pm – Speed Dating with Books, are you a book lover looking for your next good read? Join us for this fun, free event during Windmill City Festival, where trustees and librarians will introduce you to books we can’t stop talking about. One of these books might just be the perfect match for your reading tastes. Offered in partnership with Batavia Park District
LOCATION: BATAVIA DEPOT MUSEUM, 155 HOUSTON STREET
10:00 am-5:00 pm – The Depot Museum will be open during the festival. Visit us to take in some history and shop for unique Batavia merchandise!
LOCATION: MAIN STAGE, PEG BOND CENTER (THE RIVERWALK – 151 N. ISLAND AVENUE)
12:00-8:30 pm – Golf Challenge
12:00-10:30 pm – Food & Beer Garden Open
12:00 pm – Pet Competition at Main Stage
Invite your furry or not-so-furry friends to this unique competition! The first 50 registered participants will receive a complimentary “doggie bag” to take home. Interested participants must register near the Main Stage. Pets can win ‘best overall’ in five categories: Best Kisser, Best Trick, Highest Jump, Best Costume, and Most Unusual. Thank you to our 2023 Pet Competition Sponsors: Batavia Animal Clinic, DePaw Canine Campus
12:00-10:00 pm – Carnival on Houston Street
1:30 pm – Chuck the Duck Toss
2:30-4:30 pm – Sidewalk Chalk Contest – All Ages Welcome (South Riverwalk Plaza)
Join us and draw what you love about Batavia! All ages are welcome to show off their artistic talents and compete to win “People’s Choice” and “Best of Batavia.” The contest will be held on Batavia Park District’s Facebook page after the festival.
Location: South Riverwalk Plaza
4:00 pm – Windmill City Make-and-Take
Make your own wind-powered craft project and learn how Windmill City got its name with the staff of the Batavia Depot Museum.
3:00-5:00 pm – Band: Kaleidoscope Eyes
Beatles tribute band paying homage to the official soundtrack of generations of families and countless hit songs.
6:00-8:00 pm – Band: Libido Funk Circus
An over-the-top tribute band playing ‘70s disco music, dance and rock from the ‘60s to today.
9:00-11:00 pm – Band: Radio Gaga
A high-energy, Vegas-style production show with costumes and choreography playing the hits of Queen and Lady Gaga.
SOOTHESPACE TENT
Safe sensory space for those who need a quiet place to rest for a moment.
Sunday, July 14
LOCATION: BATAVIA DEPOT MUSEUM, 155 HOUSTON STREET
10:00 am-5:00 pm – The Depot Museum will be open during the festival. Visit us to take in some history and shop for unique Batavia merchandise!
LOCATION: MAIN STAGE, PEG BOND CENTER (THE RIVERWALK – 151 N. ISLAND AVENUE)
8:00 am – Windmill Whirl 5K Race
Register online click here.
12:00-6:00 pm – Food, Beer Garden, Golf Challenge
Thank you to our 2023 Golf Challenge Sponsors: Geneva Park District & St. Charles Park District
12:00-5:00 pm – Windmill City Festival Community Craft Fair
12:00-6:00 pm – Carnival on Houston Street
12:00-1:00 pm – Big Wheels/Tricycle Races
Kids bring their own wheels (no 2-wheelers) and compete in 3 age divisions. For ages 2-8. Prizes for 1st place in each division, participation popsicles for everyone who enters.
12:00-3:00 pm – Family Rock Painting
Presented by Batavia parks Foundation
1:00-3:00 pm – Band: Brass on Fire
A high-powered horn-centered rock band covering tunes from the ‘60s on up.
3:00-4:00 pm – Diaper Derby (Main Stage)
Enter your little one in this exciting “crawling race” for babies ages 6-15 months. Participants and their enthusiastic supporters need to register near the Main Stage between 2:30-2:45 pm. Presented by the Batavia Mother’s Club Foundation.
4:00-6:00 pm – Band: This End Up
A six-piece band playing a great mix of popular rock and pop music with a dash of country.
