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Batavia celebrates the season with annual festival

The holiday lights will be shining brightly in downtown Batavia on Sunday, November 25 as the Batavia Park District kicks off the season with Celebration of Lights Festival from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Batavia Riverwalk. This popular event has become a tradition for many families and includes a community sing-a-long, tree lighting ceremony, story hour, visit with Santa and more!

The City of Batavia is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for River Street at 4:00 p.m. prior to the festival. Families are encouraged to attend the ribbon cutting and then dine downtown before heading to the Riverwalk at 5:30 p.m. for the community sing-a-long and arrival of Santa!

Batavia business owner Craig Foltos will play the master of ceremonies until Santa arrives at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Jeff Schielke will greet Santa and together they will light the community Christmas tree. After the tree lighting, Santa¡¦s Warming House at the Peg Bond Center will open, and children up to age 10 who visit with Santa will receive a special gift while supplies last.

The festival is presented by the Batavia Park District in partnership with the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Batavia MainStreet, the City of Batavia and the Batavia Police Department. For more information, please contact the Batavia Park District at 630-879-5235 or view the schedule of events at www.bataviaparks.org.

Celebration of Lights Festival Events Schedule

Experience the Magic of Batavia!
Sunday, November 25 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at the Batavia Riverwalk
Free admission * Free parking north of the Government Center

Schedule of Events:

4:00 p.m.
„X City of Batavia hosts a ribbon cutting ceremony for River Street (River and Wilson)

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
„X Free tractor-pulled wagon rides with food or $1 cash donation (proceeds benefit the Batavia Food Pantry)
„X Free roasted chestnuts
„X Family photo opportunity - main stage of Peg Bond Center
„X Hot dogs and hot chocolate for sale by the Batavia Teen Center
„X Batavia High School Madrigal Choir performing carols

5:45 p.m.
„X Community sing-a-long led by Craig Foltos, Foltos Tonsorial Parlor

6:00 p.m.
„X Arrival of Santa
„X Welcome by Mayor Schielke
„X Ceremonial tree lighting

6:15 p.m.
„X Santa's Warming House: Visit Santa at the Peg Bond Center warming house and receive a special holiday gift (children under 10 while supplies last)

6:15 - 7:00 p.m.
„X Story time at the Gustafson Research Center, located in the lower level of the Batavia Depot Museum. Hosted by the Batavia Public Library.
„X Batavia Fire Department bake sale fundraiser

Special Features:
„X Holiday gift bags - stuffed full of festive surprises (while supplies last)
„X Christmas tree lane (trees decorated by local organizations)

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