This article is presented in partnership with Valor Carts, which recently launched its brand new T4 electric low-speed vehicle (pictured above).

School may be back in session, but summer certainly isn’t over.

The fireworks have faded and the festivals are winding down, but it’s the slow stuff that makes summer special anyway: an afternoon cruise with the windows down, a spontaneous scoop of ice cream from a local shop, a warm twilight walk in the neighborhood. 

Late August into September harbors plenty of opportunities to savor the season before the brisk weather rolls in. And Batavia-based Valor Carts (whose team is always out and about locally in their cutting-edge Low-Speed Vehicles) has curated some great ideas:

Check out Geneva’s Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, August 23, which offers a rare chance to see antique, classic, and award-winning modern automobiles up close in the heart of Third Street amid Geneva's shops and restaurants. 

Valor Carts will be part of the lineup this year, posted up near James Street and Third Street with their Cruise and brand-new T4 models on display. Swing by to see them in person and you’ll understand: these carts are ideal neighborhood cruising vehicles. 

Not only do they provide a novel, convenient (and street legal for neighborhood roads) way to get around, they’re just fun. Comfortably shaded with Bluetooth speakers, it’s as much about the ride itself as getting where you’re going — and unlike car travel, you can easily interact with your neighbors.

Interest piqued? Skip the wait and take a test drive in Batavia whenever is convenient for you.

Tri-Cities neighborhoods are home to some delightful parks. They don’t require a plan, and you don’t have to go far — that's the beauty of a slow cruise through the neighborhood.

Pack a blanket and head to Wheeler Park in Geneva, Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles, or Engstrom Park in Batavia for a picnic with the family. Or catch one of the final two outdoor St. Charles Summer Concerts at Mt. St. Mary’s Park. 

If you’re looking for a bite or a beverage, try neighborhood gems like Candy's Creamery in Mill Creek for a cone, Townhouse Cafe in St. Charles for relaxing lunch (and some book browsing), or Energy City Brewing in Batavia for a refreshing pint. 

Not a bad stretch of ground to cover on, say, four wheels at 25 miles per hour.

Elburn Days runs August 21–23 this year, featuring carnival rides, live music, a car raffle, mud volleyball, and a beer garden all packed into Elburn Lions Park. It's the Elburn Lions Club's biggest fundraiser of the year, and it's the last of the major summer festivals in the Tri-Cities area.

Blues & Brews on the Fox returns to downtown St. Charles on Saturday, August 29, offering a full day of live blues, craft beer, and a Kid Zone that keeps the little ones busy while the adults hang by the stage. Now in its second year, the festival also brings the STC Six Belgian Beer Competition and a lineup of local vendors.

Batavia United Way's Community Dinner Table takes over River Street on Sunday, August 30, from 4-6PM this year, with one long table stretching down the block, food from local restaurants, live music, and a coastal-inspired evening built around a genuinely good cause: fighting food insecurity in Batavia.

Remember to stop by and see Valor Carts at Concours d'Elegance on August 23 — and enjoy those final precious days of summer.

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with questions or comments.

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