Swedish Days Festival Returns This Weekend: See What's Planned

GENEVA, IL — The 76th annual Swedish Days Festival is back in Geneva.

The "granddaddy of Illinois festivals" will run Wednesday through Sunday in downtown Geneva.

The Geneva Chamber Commerce will usher in the five-day event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the corner of James and Third streets. From then on, it'll be a weekend packed with food, live music and activities galore.

While many long-loved favorites — including Geneva's Got Talent and the parade — are returning, a few new activities are on the docket this time. The 7 p.m. concerts Thursday through Saturday will be themed. Show-goers should wear '70s and '80s attire Thursday to win a prize; beach balls will fly for Friday's concert; and foam glow sticks will be given out to light up Saturday's show.

RELATED: These Streets Will Close For Swedish Days Festival Weekend

On Saturday, visitors can visit the Doodle Booth, which resembles a photo booth, but instead of receiving a photo strip, guests will be given a portrait-style doodle drawing by local artist Spencer Donahue.

Take a look at what else is to come for the Swedish Days Festival.

• Windy City Amusements' Carnival: Open every day of the festival. Unlimited ride wristbands will be for sale, with costs varying by the day.
• Craft beer tent: Craft beer enthusiasts can enjoy pours from Penrose Brewing Company, Stockholm's and Art History Brewing every day of the festival. It will be set up on James Street west of Third Street.
• Swedish Days 5K Lopp: The race will commence at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Gunnar Anderson Forest Preserve. The kids' dash, open to children 10 and under, will start at 9 a.m.
• Swedish Days Parade: A group of downtown businesses got together to organize this year's parade after it was originally nixed from Swedish Days' activities. The procession will start at 1 p.m. Sunday at Geneva High School. Participants will march south on Anderson Boulevard, east on Route 38 and south on Third Street to end at the train station.
• Entertainment: Wednesday's free musical entertainment will include the Swedish American Choir, performances by Geneva Park District groups and the Geneva's Got Talent semifinal. Local bands are scheduled to perform Thursday, Friday and Saturday, while solo artists and small bands will perform each afternoon in the craft beer tent. The Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago will perform on the Kane County Courthouse lawn from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday.
• Geneva's Got Talent: Hosted by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Geneva Park District and local music school Sounds Like Music, Geneva's Got Talent will bring out locals competing to see who has the most skill. Semifinals are planned at 7 p.m. Wednesday, and a winner will be crowned after the finals, set to begin at 5 p.m. Thursday. Both segments will take place at the Central Stage.
• Pickleball tournament: From 8-11 a.m. Thursday at Third and Campbell streets, ballers will compete for first, second and third place prizes. Each player is guaranteed four games.

A comprehensive list of daily Swedish Days activities is available on the Chamber's website.