Just Around the Corner First Week of August

As the last month of summer arrives we say goodbye to the Cultural Arts summer concerts and prepare for life after this week’s finale of the Geneva Park District’s Concerts in the Park series. River Park will once again return to its normal quiet setting. If you’ve been meaning to make it there for one of the concerts, then Wednesday evening is your last chance this year.

Geneva Park District Concerts in the Park wraps up the season with the Ethan Bell Band on Wednesday, August 1^st. More of a country band, the group plays a wide range of music, crossing the line into pop and hip-hop with some of their creative cover mashups. Band leader Ethan Bell hails from the Yorkville area and has been playing guitar since he was 12. Band members Brandon Weber (guitar/banjo/keyboard), Jonny Gifford (drums), and Eric Smith (bass) are all from the area and have an NIU connection. Their first single, “Party Bus”, released last summer, is enjoying some buzz. That was followed by “Hold You Now”, and recently released “Some Girls”.

As usual, the concert starts at 7:00 PM at River Park at 151 North River Lane just north of the bridge on Route 38. There is plenty of parking available in nearby public parking lots. Refreshments are served by Deane’s Market & Deli and Graham’s Fine Chocolate and Ice Cream. And Penrose Brewing will be offering craft beer in their tent near the park entrance. The concert is sponsored by Deane’s, Graham’s, and Penrose, as well as the Shodeen Family Foundation, the Chiropractic People, and the Kane County Chronicle.

Movies in the Park presents Justice League as its final film for the season in Island Park (weather permitting). The movie starts at dusk, some time between 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM. This time the DC superheroes, led by Batman and Wonder Woman, team up to save the planet. The movie runs just over 2 hours. Don’t forget a blanket or lawn chair. Concessions will be available. The Kane County Chronicle sponsors Movies in the Park.

Mill Creek Pool is the site for Family Fun Night this Friday, August 3rd. This weekly event lasts from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. It includes dinner at the pool with either pizza or 4 hot dogs, 4 soft drinks, and 4 ice cream treats for $10. Twilight admission rates apply. That gets you into the pool area with 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.

This year’s final Flick n’ Float movie night flick is Wonder Woman about the fictional Amazon warrior princess and how she became a superhero during World War II. The float part of this event refers to the fact that you get to watch the movie while floating in Sunset Pool using a floatie or inner tube. Of course, you can always watch the movie poolside too. Two hours and twenty minutes straight in the water might leave you feeling more shipwrecked than relaxed. The movies starts about 8:00 PM Friday evening, August 3^rd, at Sunset Pool. Twilight pool admission rates apply, which are currently $4.50 for residents and $7 for non-residents.

Geneva Park District

Playhouse 38, operated by the Geneva Park District, features the youth production High School Musical Jr. this weekend, August 3^rd through August 5^th. Evening performances begin at 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday and matinee performances are at 3:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. As of this writing, there are still a number of seats for the Saturday evening performance. The play follows the trials and tribulations of Troy and Gabriella as they face the typical high school problems of cliques, petty jealousies, being the new kid, and being different, while trying to show their classmates a better way.

Playhouse 38 is at 321 Stevens Street Suite P. The entrance is in the rear of the building. Concessions, including bottled water, soda, juice, and candy, are sold at the theater entrance prior to the start of the performance and during intermission. Tickets may be purchased online, at Sunset Community Center, at the Stephen Persinger Recreation. Center, or by calling 530-232-4542.

For tickets and more info click here.

The Geneva History Museum continues its interactive exhibit, “Go Figure”, for children in the Special Gallery. Kids can engage in math and literacy activities as well as the gigantic reproductions of five favorite children’s books. 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.

Current exhibits also include “In Other Words… A History of Communication in Geneva” in the Picture Gallery and “Geneva’s Story” in the Main Gallery.

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

Geneva History Museum

The Geneva Public Library kicks off the week with Be Your Own Architect Drop-In Building Program, on Monday, July 30^th, from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM. This family program lets you design and build your own projects using LEGO™ blocks, Brackitz™ Inventor set, and KEVA™ planks.

Tuesday, July 31^st, there’s a Wendy and DB family concert from 10:30 AM until 11:15 AM. This interactive concert features Chicago area kids’ entertainers Wendy Morgan, Darryl Boggs, and the Funn Band performing songs with positive messages that are appropriate for all ages.

Other events for the week include Harry Potter trivia night on Tuesday, Heartland Bicentennial program on Wednesday, Teen Summer Challenge Party on Wednesday, Friends of the Library Book Sort on Thursday, Family Fun Spy Extravaganza on Friday, and Step Up to 6^th Grade for those about to become 6^th graders this Fall.

Check the Geneva Public Library website for more information.

The Geneva Classic Car Show continues on Thursday evening, August 2^nd, 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

On the Horizon

On Thursday, August 23^rd, the Geneva History Museum helps the Herrington celebrate its 25^th year. For more information on how you can be part of the festivities click here.

Geneva Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, August 26^th, will create an open-air showroom in downtown Geneva displaying some of the most luxurious and stunning cars from every era. Proceeds benefit the Living Well Cancer Resource Center

Picture courtesy of Geneva Park District