The Geneva Rovers will once again take the field in Geneva, courtesy of the Geneva History Center. In 1867, the Geneva Rovers became the community’s first baseball team, playing games every Saturday from April through September. For the past two years, the Geneva History Center has staged a nine-inning, 19th century rules game against the Midway Marauders, a visiting team from Rockford. This year, the Rovers will take on the Batavia Bat Men, a local club sure to revive old rivalries between the two cities.

Two crack teams have been assembled to ensure a competitive and good-natured game. The game is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, at 2 p.m. at Sunset Park, 710 Western Avenue. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children and members, with all proceeds benefitting the Geneva History Center. Spectators are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs.

Those who attended previous games noted that they were spirited but gentlemanly matches. The rules of 19th century baseball are markedly different from today’s sport. Major differences include:

• the ball is considered fair or foul based solely on where it first touches the ground
• a ball caught on the first bounce is considered out
• a strike is called only on a swing and a miss.

For more information, contact Dave Oberg, Executive Director at 630-232-4951 or via e-mail.

When: Saturday, August 15, 2009, 2 – 4pm
Where: Sunset Park, 710 Western Ave., Geneva, IL
Price – $3 for children; $5 for adults
Ticket Phone: 630-232-4951

View Larger Map

The Art In Your Eye Festival features award-winning artists for its fifth annual fine art festival at the beautiful Riverwalk on the Fox in downtown Batavia. Sponsored by the City of Batavia, the festival is a collaborative effort with other key organizations and reflects the spirit of Batavia’s artistic and art-supporting community. Art In Your Eye includes additional pre-festival activities focusing on art education, hands-on art experiences, and arts appreciation. The culminating two-day event at the Riverwalk includes the centerpiece outdoor fi ne art show, exceptional childrens’ art activities, continuous musical entertainment, an indoor exhibit featuring local artists, food, and free guarded bike parking to attract the hundreds of cyclists traveling the adjacent Fox River trails.

Complete information about Art In Your Eye can be found at the website: artinyoureye.com. Each fine art show artist is featured on artinyoureye.com with an image and link to his/her website for months prior to and following the festival. Tremendous community and volunteer support and amenities make this show highly regarded by artist participants.

The Art in your Eye Festival is Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9, between 10AM – 5PM on Saturday and between 10AM – 4PM Sunday.  The festival is located at the Riverwalk on the Fox in downtown Batavia.

New this year – Sunday is an added day!

Friday, July 10 – 4:00 PM through Sunday, July 12

Batavia’s Windmill City Festival boasts countless activities around Batavia over the course of three days – families will be able to take in concerts, run in a 5k, browse the arts and crafts show, and participate in a pet parade or a number of other contests.

For more information, visit the Batavia Park District Website.

Don’t miss one of the Fox Valley’s premier 4th of July fireworks displays–the Batavia “Sky Concert.”

Due to the $60 million construction project to enhance the Batavia High School, the Batavia fireworks location for 2009 will again be Engstrom Park at the corner of Main and Millview Streets.

Before the fireworks, Engstrom Park will open at 5:00 PM with the aroma of food vendors. At 7:00 PM, a local band will take the stage. This will be an evening of food and fun. All Batavians are invited to come and meet others in the community.

The Sky Concert begins promptly at 9:30 PM.

For more information about the event, please see the Batavia Fireworks website.