Windmill City Festival — set for Friday, July 14, through Sunday, July 17, 2017 — is introducing new family-friendly activities to the tried-and-true tradition at the beautiful Riverwalk in Batavia.

“Whether you check out the plethora of live bands, peruse the Craft and Vintage Market, participate in the Pet Parade or dive in to the Ice Cream Eating Contest, every member of the family is sure to find a new favorite activity!” organizers said in a news release this week.

The Windmill City Festival committee includes representatives from the Batavia Park District, Batavia Chamber of Commerce and the city of Batavia.

New This Year: The Fun Zone!

The Batavia Park District is offering a new Fun Zone this year, including inflatable attractions such as the Laser Invader tag game, Wild Animal Zoo and Quad Power Jump. Attractions include:

Kiddiepillar — A crawling experience for kids ages 2-8. Start in the front of the caterpillar, then climb, incline and slide down into interesting pop-ups and barriers. Kids will want to do this again and again!

Wild Animal Zoo — This action packed adventure game uses a jungle theme that operates like a challenge course. Kids ages 2-8 will work hard to get through the maze of inflatable animals, slides and obstacles.

Pirate Ship Jump and Slide — Ahoy mateys! Come onboard and don’t walk the plank! This inflatable has obstacles inside for kids ages 4+ to push around while jumping.

Wrecking Ball — This brand new game’s goal is simple but challenging. The Last Man Standing is the winner. Participants ages 5+ stand on the rocky platform and push the hanging ball at their opponents to try and knock them down onto the inflated platform. Up to four participants at one time.

Hi-Ball/Powerball — A fast paced interactive game of volleyball and basketball at the same time. Players have a blast while bouncing on an inflated surface.

Kid’s Gym — Climb up a slide and navigate through a corridor filled with obstacles. Climb another slide and slip into the play area. The play area is bouncy and features two soft basketball nets. For ages 12 and under.

Laser Invader Tag — Plenty of fast–paced laser action. Each participant wears a light sensitive vest and uses a light weight laser “guns”. When they aim at opponent’s target, they shoot to get points and knock the other person out of the game. Teams compete in two circular mazes inside the inflatable, one at each end, which can also serve as team bases. A central “attack field” between the two home bases has lots of inflated “hiding” places. Challenging fast paced fun.

Inflatables wristbands are available for $15 and allow unlimited entry for a single day.  Want boundless fun for the entire festival?  Purchase a weekend wristband for $40 and enjoy unlimited inflatable entry for the two and half day festival!

Quad Power Jump — A multi-station system that combines the fun of trampoline and bungee jumping in one event! The Quad Power Jump allows up to four participants at one time to jump and accomplish gravity-defying maneuvers like flips and somersaults. Participants are safely buckled in with a comfortable harness system. You’ll spin, you’ll twist, you’ll scream with delight! Quad Power Jump tickets are available on a per-jump basis for $5 each.

Skip the lines at this year’s Fun Zone at Windmill City Festival and pre-purchase your weekend or daily pass! If you take advantage of pre-sale, you will receive 3 free Quad Power Jump tickets with every weekend pass and 1 ree Quad Power Jump ticket with every daily pass purchased. Sale is now through July 13, and wristbands can be purchased at the Civic Center at 327 W. Wilson Street.

Fun Zone hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, July 14; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 15; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 16.

Unique Offerings

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! A 100-foot gutter will house hundreds of scoops of ice cream for the Ice Cream Eating Contest at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 16. Participants will be divided into age categories and will compete against other ice cream enthusiasts to see who can finish their scoops the fastest. No hands allowed! The contest is sponsored by Foltos Tonsorial Parlor and the Batavia Creamery.

Tee one up at this year’s Golf Challenge. Ages 10 and up can take a shot at chipping a hole-in-one on a floating green in the Depot Pond. The cost is $5 for five balls. Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 14, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 15 and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 16.

Favorite Traditions

The Batavia Mother’s Club will once again host the adorable Diaper Derby at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 near the Peg Bond Center. Participants’ ages 6-15 months will compete in this exciting “crawling race” to win fun prizes. Register by the Main Stage beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Bring the family pet to their very own parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15. Pet Parade participants can register from 9:15 a.m.to 9:50 a.m. near the Main Stage. Pets can win ‘best overall’ in five categories: Best Trick, Most Unusual Pet, Best Costume, Highest Jump and Best Kisser. The first 50 registered participants will receive a complimentary “doggie bag” to take home. Sponsored by Batavia Animal Clinic, DePAW University, Pet Supplies Plus and Animal House.

Fun for Adults

There is no reason why adults should feel left out of the loop at this year’s festival! There is a variety of offerings for the big kid in you, including a bags tournament, live bands and an adult-division in the ice cream eating contest! Grab a partner and “Toss for a Cause” in the Batavia Parks Foundation’s annual bags tournament at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 15. Cash prizes will go to the top two teams. After the bags tournament be sure to stop by the food booths and beer garden.

For more information about Windmill City Festival or for a complete schedule of events, please visit www.windmillcityfest.org.

SOURCE: Batavia Park District news release