🎇 A local guide to the 4th of July 2025

Planning to stick around town for the 4th of July?

If so, I’m with you. Though I do have to fly to Boston the following Monday for my day job…not sure whose brilliant idea it was to schedule an industry conference on the heels of the Fourth.

Anyway, there will be plenty of ways to celebrate locally during the day before the grand finale at night.

Batavia’s annual show will light up the sky near the high school at 9:30PM, while St. Charles will launch from Langum Park at dark. Add in pre-show live music sessions, downtown festivities, and a few special events, and there’s no reason you can’t make a full day of it.

Read on to get all the details and start planning.

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Sunday brunch is a time-honored tradition — and you won’t find a better value in the Tri-Cities than at The Little Traveler’s Atrium Café. In fact, it was named Best Brunch in West Suburban Living’s 2024 Best of the West.

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📰 News to use

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☑️ Facilities’ future: Geneva officials are weighing a long-term plan to invest over $130M in upgrades to city buildings, starting with a new police station and major improvements to City Hall, fire stations, and public works.

☑️ Late-night violence: Three people were shot during a family gathering at a home just north of St. Charles in unincorporated Elgin last weekend, including a 70-year-old man, according to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.

☑️ Commons comeback: The Geneva Commons shopping center is hosting a Grand Reopening event on Saturday (6/28) to celebrate new ownership, recent upgrades (including a new stage), and the addition of several new stores.

☑️ By the numbers: Remember the microburst in Batavia earlier this month with 80-mph winds that caused serious damage and knocked out power for thousands? Here's a full breakdown of the rainfall totals, emergency calls, cleanup costs, and more.

🔒 Growing group: Geneva’s Three Headed Eagle Alliance, a conservative group focused on voter education and government accountability, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary as it plans more speaker events for its members and the public.

☑️ More news notes: Fermilab’s Pine Street gate in Batavia has reopened to visitors, Geneva garbage rates will increase in July, and two state legislators from the Tri-Cities are backing a lawsuit to block a controversial Senate Bill.

🏘️ In the community

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☑️ Boo Boo Days: Downtown Batavia is bringing back its mid-century Boo Boo Days tradition the weekend of July 11-13 with vintage storefront ads, sidewalk sales, and retro cocktail specials during Windmill City Festival.

☑️ Reporting for duty: The City of Geneva recently introduced Tommy the golden retriever as the newest member of its police force. The not-quite-two-year-old pup will serve as the city’s comfort dog. See photos from the swearing-in ceremony.

☑️ Sweaty celebration: Sunday wrapped up the 75th Swedish Days event in Geneva. See a video-and-photo recap of the weekend’s festivities from the Geneva Chamber.

☑️ More than stories: In the new Area Code: Batavia episode, Depot Museum Director Kate Garrett shares how Batavia residents’ love for local history actually helps bring people together and build a stronger community today.

🔒 Miracle ride: More than 100 motorcyclists and several police officials escorted two-year-old cancer survivor Oliver Olinger from Sycamore to the St. Charles Motorcycle Museum on Sunday to celebrate his one-year remission with a surprise rally.

☑️ Friday market: If you haven’t visited the St. Charles Farmers Market (open Fridays from 8AM-1PM) at its new location, head to the old police station area at Riverview and Cedar Avenue to check out its ample offerings.

🎸 Live music

By my count, we’ve got 85+ live music performances to choose from across the Tri-Cities area this weekend (Thursday to Sunday). That’s gotta be a new record.

As always, you can check out each and every one of ‘em here. Start planning your weekend outings now.

🤝 Local biz

☑️ E-bike bonafides: The Spotlight Chicago show on WGN interviewed the team behind Batavia’s BOJ-E-Bikes, putting a spotlight on the Tri-Cities shop while discussing e-bikes as a burgeoning trend. Watch the six-minute segment.

☑️ New salon #1: Zazú Salons recently celebrated the grand opening of their downtown Geneva location with a ribbon cutting and party. See photos of the space from the event.

☑️ New salon #2: Spa Bleu, an Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa with locations in West Dundee and South Barrington, is now taking appointments at its new St. Charles location.

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🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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☑️ Railroad Days | Thurs 6/26 - Sun 6/29 | Pioneer Park, West Chicago | Just down the road you’ll find a full weekend of rides, beer gardens, food, live music, and more.

☑️ Pride in Batavia | Fri 6/27 - Sat 6/28 | Downtown Batavia | A fashion show, workshops, giveaways, specials, yoga, and more Pride-themed activities.

☑️ Document Shredding & Food Drive | Sat 6/28, 9AM-11AM | Salvation Army, STC | Sen. DeWitte and Rep. Ugaste host this free community event.

☑️ WellBatavia Festival | Sat 6/28, 9AM-1PM | Peg Bond Center, Batavia | Connect with wellness experts and enjoy entertaining demos and performances.

🎟️ Pottawatomie Garden Walk | Sat 6/28, 9AM-3PM | Various Locations, STC | See spectacular local home gardens and end with a plant sale.

☑️ Wild Boar to Baconfest | Sat 6/28, 9:30AM-11AM | Brewster Creek Forest Preserve, STC | An educational sessions on the local history of pigs and pork.

☑️ Summer Maker’s Market | Sat 6/28, 12PM-4PM | Brother Chimp Brewing, N. Aurora | Peruse handcrafted items from local artisans while enjoying a cold brew.

🎟️ Lepidoptera & Libations | Sat 6/28, 5-7PM | Peck Farm Park, Geneva | Get an after-hours tour of the Butterfly House and enjoy food, drinks, and live music.

✳️ Pride Yoga in the Park | Sat 6/28, 7-8:15PM | Geneva Winery, Batavia | A beginner-friendly yoga session for the whole family along the Fox River.

🎟️ Sunday Uncorked: Patio Brunch | Sun 6/29, 11AM | Geneva Wine Cellars | Get your brunch on while soaking up the sun on 3rd Street in Geneva.

📖 Thanks for reading

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