BATAVIA, IL — The spookiest month of the year is upon Batavians, and on Oct. 24, more than 5,000 ghouls are expected to descend on the downtown area for the annual BatFest.
The nonprofit Downtown MainStreet will host its free event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., during which time a plethora of activities are planned across downtown. Trick-or-treating, music and dance performances, costume contests, and a community parade are all on the docket.
Subscribe
Take a look at the schedule of events for the day:
- 10 a.m. to noon: Trick or treating at more than 60 businesses downtown
- 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.: Reptile show at Congregational Church of Batavia
- 10:30 a.m.: BatFest Stories at the Batavia Public Library
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
- Incredible Bats at Tabletop Game Shop
- Photo-Op Mural created by Batavia High School National Art Honor Society on North River Street
- Thrown-a-Thon Pottery Event at Dirty Clay Co.
- "Inclusion Isn't Scary!" FVSRA Pop-Up at Wilson Street Mercantile
- Make-and-Take Craft at Water Street Studios
- 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Whimsy Diggers Mobile Sandbox at Bocaditos Cafe
Peg Bond Center will be teeming with activities throughout the day:
- Show off your Costume in the BatFest Community Parade, stepping off at 10 a.m.
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Final farmers market of the season on Houston Street and the parking lot near Peg Bond Center
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: BatFest booths in the grassy area in front of Peg Bond Center, Peace Plaza and behind City Hall in Appleton Park
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Pumpkin roll at Houston Street and Batavia Avenue, hosted by Scouts BSA Troop 6
- 10:30 a.m.: Dance performance by Soleunique Dance Complex
- 11:30 a.m.: Monster Mash Lesson by Batavia Academy of Dance
- 12:15 p.m.: Costume contest. Categories are Under 5, ages 5-8, ages 9-12, ages 12 and up, and group
- 12:45 p.m.: Thriller Performance by Batavia Academy of Dance
- 1:00 p.m.: Pet costume contest sponsored by Fat Sam's for Pets