Friday - Sunday, July 11-13 | Batavia's Windmill City Festival

Batavia’s Windmill City Festival will be held from Friday to Saturday, July 11-13 in downtown Batavia.

The Windmill City Festival has long been a staple of the community and has become a tradition for many families, formerly called Batavia Boo Boo Days until 1978.

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!

Friday, July 11

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!
Final weeks! Take a moment during the festival to visit the Museum Exhibit: The Museum a Community Built: The Batavia Depot Museum Celebrates 50 Years

location: MAIN Stage, PEG BOND CENTER (The riverwalk – 151 n. island avenue)

5:00-8:30 pm – Golf Challenge – Tee up and take your best shot at hitting a golf ball on the target in the Depot Pond. (Paid activity)
5:00-10:30 pm – Food Trucks & Beer Garden open. ID’s will be checked.
5:00-10:00 pm – Carnival on Houston Street (Paid activity)
6:00-8:00 pm – The Fortunate Sons

A Credence Clearwater Revival tribute band performing with vintage gear, costumes and instruments.

9:00-11:00 pm – Sixteen Candles

A nostalgia band playing a wide range of music from the 1980s.

Saturday, July 12

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! While at the museum visit The Museum a Community Built: The Batavia Depot Museum Celebrates 50 Years on exhibit through July 20.

location: MAIN STAGE, PEG BOND CENTER (The Riverwalk – 151 n. island avenue)

12:00-8:30 pm – Golf Challenge Tee up and take your best shot at hitting a golf ball on the target in the Depot Pond. (Paid activity)
12:00-10:30 pm – Food Trucks & 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.

12:00-10:00 pm – Carnival on Houston Street (Paid activity)
1:30 pm – Football Toss

Test your throwing skills at our football toss! The whole family has a chance to compete in this free and fun activity.

2:30-4:30 pm – Sidewalk Chalk Contest – All Ages Welcome (South Riverwalk Plaza) – (Free activity)

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

3:00-5:00 pm – Liz & Hala

An acoustic duo covering pop, rock, country, alternative and southern rock from the 1950s to present day.

6:00-8:00 pm – Libido Funk Circus

An over-the-top tribute band playing 1970s disco music, and rock from the 1960s to today.

9:00-11:00 pm – Radio Gaga

A high-energy Vegas-style production show with costumes and choreography playing the hits of Queen and Lady Gaga.

Sunday, July 13

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)

12:00-6:00 pm – Food Trucks and Beer Garden open
12:00-6:00 pm – Golf Challenge Tee up and take your best shot at hitting a golf ball on the target in the Depot Pond. (Paid activity)
12:00-6:00 pm – Carnival on Houston Street
12:00-1 pm – Friendship Bracelet Making
2:00 pm – Windmill City Bean Bag Tic-Tac-Toe

Get ready for a classic game with a fun and competitive challenge! Participants take turns tossing bean bags onto a giant tic-tac-toe board., aiming to get three in a row with plenty of chances to win. Test your skill and enjoy the friendly competition!

1:00-3:00 pm – Totally Taylor

A Taylor Swift tribute band playing her best hits, from heartfelt ballads to electrifying anthems.

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.