Just Around the Corner in Geneva

Steaming into the third week of July, Geneva starts to look and feel more like the islands with two steel drum bands appearing at River Park this week. What better way to take your mind off the heat and humidity than to listen to the lively music of the Caribbean and to let it transport you to a paradise of white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and cool ocean breezes. For a more bucolic look at life, the Kane County Fair celebrates its 150^th year with a full lineup of entertainment and events. The fair starts on Wednesday, July 18^th, and runs through Sunday, July 22^nd.

The Geneva Park District Concerts in the Park series continues with Mr. Myers Band on Wednesday, July 18^th. Geneva Cultural Arts brings another steel drum to River Park on Sunday, July 22^nd. Celebrating its seventy-fifth year, the Geneva History Museum will present the Geneva Story exhibit, as well as “Go Figure”, an educational exhibit for kids. The Geneva Classic Car Show rolls into its third week at the Kane County Courthouse. And the Geneva Public Library offers a number of programs this week, including the Creek Walk.

Geneva Cultural Arts presents its third Sunday evening River Park concert starring the Steel Crazy Steelband. The band hails from Aurora and is an outgrowth of a community college class where many of the band members learned to play. The band was formed in January of 2006 and had their first gig on a Norwegian cruise ship the very next month. Since then, it’s been full speed ahead.

The 90-minute performance begins at 6:00 PM in River Park at North River Lane and Peyton. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. Parking is available adjacent to the park and in nearby public parking lots. Bring lawn chairs, cushions, blankets, and picnic baskets to enjoy the concert in comfort from your vantage on the rock terrace amphitheater at the river’s edge. In case of rain, the concert will be moved to the Fellowship Hall of Geneva United Methodist Church at 211 Hamilton Street.

Geneva Cultural Arts

The Geneva Park District summer concert series in River Park continues this Wednesday evening, July 18^th at 7:00 PM. Refreshments are served by Deane’s Market & Deli and Graham’s Fine Chocolate and Ice Cream. Craft beers are also available from the Penrose Brewing tent near the park entrance. The series is sponsored by these same vendors, as well as the Shodeen Family Foundation, the Chiropractic People, and the Kane County Chronicle.

Performing this Wednesday’s concert is a returning favorite from Sycamore, Mr. Myers Band, described as a “Caribbean rock band”. Start with a little basic calypso and ska, throw in a little reggae and a touch of rock and roll, and you have the unique sound that is the hallmark of this band. The band also plays some of their own original music and some classics with an island sound twist. The band was founded in 1981 by Todd Donnelly, who plays the steel drums. Mr. Myers band was one of the first Midwestern bands to feature steel drums or steel pans.

The performance begins at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 18^th, at River Park at 151 North River Lane, just north of Route 38 on the west bank of the river. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to spread on the rock terrace amphitheater. Parking is available in front of the park and in nearby lots.

Mill Creek Pool Family Fun Night is Friday, July 20^th, and lasts from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Have dinner at the pool with either pizza or 4 hot dogs, 4 soft drinks, and 4 ice cream treats for $10. Twilight admission gets you into the pool area where you will find a 25-meter, 5-lane flat-water pool and a separate zero depth play pool with mushroom bubbler and spray bubblers. The new interactive sprayground features a water slide, a sprinkling flower, spouting ground sprayers, a squirting snail, a super soaking interactive water cannon, and a playful water parrot. The pool area also has a locker room, showers, hospitality room, and concessions. Twilight admission is currently $4 per resident and $5 for non-resident.

The week wraps up with the Star Gazing Party on Saturday, July 21^st, from 8:00 PM until 11:00 PM at Peck Farm Park at 4038 Kaneville Road in Geneva. The event starts with a 30-minute presentation by the Fox Valley Astronomical Society in the Orientation Barn. Weather permitting, members of the society will set up their telescopes in the parking lot for viewing the night sky after the presentation. This is a great opportunity to learn about the stars and planets, as well as tips for observing them. Members will be glad to answer all of your questions.

Geneva Park District

This week, the Geneva History Museum is featuring “In Other Words… A History of Communication in Geneva” in the Picture Gallery, “Geneva’s Story” in the Main Gallery”, and the Special Gallery exhibit “Go Figure”, where kids can engage in math and literacy activities. The exhibit includes gigantic reproductions of five favorite children’s books for kids to interact with. The books include Arthur’s Pet Business by Marc Brown, The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins, The Quilt by Ann Jonas, Frog and Toad are Friends: A Lost Button by Arnold Lobel and Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall. This exhibition is sponsored by the Fabyan Foundation.

Hours are 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $3/Person, $2/Children ages 3-10 and includes all three exhibitions.

Geneva History Museum

The Geneva Public Library has a busy week ahead with plenty of activities for all ages. The Creek Walk takes place on Monday, July 16^th. There are a number of other activities this week and every week at the library, including preschool, elementary, middle school, teen, and adult educational and social events. The writers workshop has been cancelled this week. Other activities this week include Bounce and Rhyme on Tuesday, Paint and Sip on Tuesday, an introduction to the iPhone for adults on Wednesday, Minecraft on Friday, and Family Storytime on Saturday. Check out the library web site for specifics.

The Geneva Classic Car Show continues on Thursday evening, July 19^th, at the Kane County Courthouse parking lot at Fourth and James Streets. The show starts at 6:00 PM and runs until 8:00 PM, weather permitting. The Geneva Chamber of Commerce will decide by 3:00 PM on Thursdays whether to cancel the show or not. Call them at 630-232-6060 to check on cancellations.

Geneva Chamber of Commerce

What do the Kane County Fair and Lincoln Park Zoo have in common? They are both celebrating their sesquicentennial. The Kane County Fair returns to the Kane County Fairgrounds at 525 Randall Road in St. Charles on Wednesday, July 18^th and runs through Sunday, July 22^nd. Admission is free on Wednesday, $5 on Thursday (children under 3 free), and $10/$5/free for adults/children aged 3 -12/children under 3 Friday through Sunday. Senior citizens (over 62) and military personnel are free on Thursday until 5:00 PM. Hours are 3:00 PM until 11:00 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, noon until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and noon until 10:00 PM on Sunday.

Free acts can be found throughout the Midway and include a magic show, the Miller Petting Zoo, Kiddy Land, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, amusement rides, Miller Lite Sound Stage, tiger show, car show, and the Imagination Gallery. New this year is Bingo, a classic car show, and wine tasting.

Grandstand shows feature a monster truck show on Thursday, championship bull riding and barrel racing on Friday, and demolition derby on Sunday. The Miller Lite Sound Stage features free performances by Eddie Volkman (of Eddie and Jobo fame) on Thursday, Hi Infidelity on Friday, Hillbilly RockStarz on Saturday, and 7th Heaven on Sunday. Amusement rides are provided by Fantasy Amusements.

Food will be available at concession stands. In addition to the usual fair food of corn dogs and cotton candy, there will be hamburgers, hot dogs, hoagie sandwiches, elephant ears, lemonade shake-ups, iced tea, and other food and beverage items.

Check out the Kane County Fair website for more details and ticket purchasing information.

Picture courtesy of Geneva Park District.