What started in 1949 as a midsummer shopping promotion has become one of the Fox Valley's most popular and enduring civic traditions.

Perhaps the only constant throughout the 76-year history of Geneva's Swedish Days festival has been its constant state of evolution. Originally dubbed “Geneva Days,” it survived a brief detour as "Butter Days," and eventually emerged as a celebration of Swedish heritage anchored to the summer solstice.

The story of Swedish Days has been anything but linear. Let’s dig into the history, hear from some of the people who know it best, and take a look at what's coming up on June 24–28.

Of the several times we’ve run a “best of” competition, the in-progress Tri-Cities Breakfast Bracket is the first one where all of the higher seeds advanced out of the first round.

I’m pulling for an upset or two in the next round (just can’t help rooting for underdogs). Let’s keep it going.

Join us next Thursday (June 18) for a dual Dinner Club event — one group in downtown Batavia (three seats left), another in downtown St. Charles. New faces, new restaurants, new afterparty spots…should be a blast.

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Summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to upgrade your sunglasses.

Fox Valley Ophthalmology's Sunglass Sale runs through June, featuring 20–70% off sunglasses at their St. Charles location. But that’s only part of the deal: get 50% off an additional set of prescription lenses when you buy an additional frame. (Not valid with insurance or other discounts.)

Head in soon and see for yourself why the folks at Fox Valley Ophthalmology are the Tri-Cities’ trusted eye care experts.

☑️ Pipe progress: Batavia has replaced nearly 1,000 lead water service lines since 2020 (at no direct cost to homeowners) and expects to finish the remaining 200 by 2027, when many other Illinois communities will just be getting started.

☑️ National recognition: Two Tri-Cities sites have been added to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom — including a Batavia home connected to a local abolitionist who helped link the entire network from Illinois to Canada.

☑️ Council addition: St. Charles Mayor Clint Hull appointed David Petschke, a 12-year city resident and finance executive with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, to fill the Ward 3 alderperson seat vacated by Robert Gehm's retirement in May.

☑️ History on display: Batavia officials advanced plans for a six-panel public mural on City Hall celebrating the city's overlooked contributions to American history with a community reveal planned for later this summer.

☑️ Big transit changes: In response to a new state law that overhauls how transit is governed across northeastern Illinois, Kane County officials explored impacts to funding, infrastructure, and local travelers in a recent discussion and presentation.

☑️ Historic season: Geneva High School’s baseball team wrapped up its winningest season in history, which included a DuKane Conference title and the program's first-ever sectional title before a loss to East Peoria in Monday's Class 3A supersectional.

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☑️ Inside Campana: Ald. Fahrenbach’s Batavia 5th Ward blog explores the latest chapter for the historic Campana Building on Route 31, which assumed new ownership in 2022 and is now home to a variety of businesses. Learn more and see photos.

☑️ Arts addition: A new Fine Art Fest will run alongside Windmill City Fest in Batavia on July 11, adding an indoor evening show inside the Callahan Community Center Sky Loft to the annual event’s festivities. Artists can apply through June 22.

☑️ A gift to local pets: Two animal lovers left $10K each to Kane County Animal Control, and the result is a new dog water fountain and shade structure that’s now open to the public along the trail near Peck Farm Park in Geneva.

☑️ Parade planning: In addition to the 4th of July, this year’s festival season carries added significance as communities across Kane County plan parades to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. See what’s happening throughout the summer.

☑️ Pam’s Prairie: A restored sand prairie near Hickory Knolls in St. Charles that’s home to rare native plants and wildlife has been newly named after retiring naturalist Pam Otto, who says late summer is the best time to visit.

✳️ Summer fellowship series: Sunday services at St. Mark’s Church in Geneva now include a casual 10:30AM study series on Revelation (coffee, snacks, and big questions welcome) plus a Wednesday morning prayer service to help you stay grounded throughout the week. See the full summer schedule.

Batavia’s “River Rhapsody” free concert series (select Wednesdays through summer) returns to the Peg Bond Center downtown on Wednesday, June 17. Food and drink vendors will be on site, but don’t forget lawn chairs and blankets.

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The longer you ignore roof issues, the worse it gets.

Every rain, every hot day, every temperature swing is working against it…and a minor issue today can quickly lead to health, safety, and property value consequences in the near future.

If you’ve been delaying a job or if something feels off after this spring's storms, trust that instinct. Based here in the Tri-Cities, 212° Construction Group offers free estimates, and Brian always gives you a straight answer.

Give him a call at (630) 777-0688.

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☑️ Coffee + more: Now open following a ribbon cutting at the Gas N Wash site on Route 31 in North Aurora, Scooter's Coffee serves coffee, tea, blended drinks, smoothies, and shakes. See photos from the event.

☑️ Athletic training: A new football performance training outfit called GameSpeed Football Performance Lab just opened in Batavia, offering a space for youth, high school, and flag football athletes to work on speed, strength, agility, and more.

✳️ Summer fitness deal: Empower Her Fitness in Batavia is running a limited-time summer special — 3 months of unlimited group fitness classes with free childcare included, all for less than $3 a class (and morning, evening, and weekend options to fit your schedule).

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✳️ Summer yoga event: In celebration of both International Day of Yoga and Father's Day, Power Moves Yoga is bringing its popular outdoor yoga class back to Geneva Commons on June 21 (free and open to all!). Get all the details.

☑️ Second Fridays in the Arts District | Fri 6/12, 6PM-9PM | Water Street Studios, Batavia | Gallery opening reception, live music at Kiss the Sky, and artwork available.

🎟️ River Street Party | Fri 6/12, 6PM-11PM | Downtown Batavia | Live music, local food, wine, and family-friendly fun on closed River Street. 

☑️ Movies in the Park: A Minecraft Movie | Fri 6/12, 8:20PM | Pottawatomie Park, STC | Free family-friendly film night in partnership with St. Charles Public Library. 

☑️ 10th Anniversary Celebration: Women's Wellness Event | Sat 6/13, 10AM-12:30PM | Mt. St. Mary Park, STC | Women's wellness resources with talks, classes, swag bags, and raffles. 

🎟️ Flax to Linen Workshop | Sat 6/13, 10AM-12PM | Garfield Farm Museum, Campton Hills | A hands-on linen-making workshop at the historic farm property.  

☑️ Creativity at the Crossroads | Sat 6/13, 10AM-4PM | North Aurora Riverfront Park | Peruse works by local artists at this juried outdoor craft fair along the Fox River. 

🎟️ Speaker Series: Prosecco & Provenance | Sat 6/13, 10:30AM-12:30PM | ARC, STC | An exploration into the meticulous topic of Provenance with a beverage included.  

☑️ 4-Year Anniversary Party | Sat 6/13, 11AM-6PM | Chi-cuterie, Geneva | Celebrate with anniversary cocktails, charcuterie, cupcakes, raffles, and live music.

☑️ Kick Off to Summer | Sat 6/13, 12PM-5PM | Batavia VFW | A classic summer kickoff with live music, hamburgers, brats, and lawn games. 

☑️ Batavia Community Pride | Sun 6/14, 9:30AM | Congregational Church of Batavia | A Church for All service featuring music from many local churches. 

🎟️ A Secret Garden Tea Party | Sun 6/14, 12PM | Oak + Rose Tea Room, Geneva | Garden-inspired tea service with scones, desserts, and specialty tea selections. 

🎟️ Intro to Homemade Cheese & Dairy | Sun 6/14, 2PM-4:30PM | Rosewood Market, Batavia | Learn to make fresh butter, ricotta, and yogurt using from-scratch techniques. 

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