Batavia to be scene of seafood boil, history trolley, Mrs. Lincoln party

BATAVIA – Special events cooked up by the Batavia Park District include a seafood boil celebrating Louisiana cuisine in July and a December celebration of Mary Todd Lincoln’s 200th birthday by the Batavia Depot Museum, for which tickets go on sale soon.

The seafood boil will be presented by N’awlins Edibles, a local catering company, said Katie Drum, director of marketing for the Batavia Park District.

“They specialize in New Orleans style food,” Drum said.

Dubbed Boilin’ in Batavia, the all-you-can-eat shrimp and crab seafood boil will take place with live music from 4 to 6 p.m. July 22 at the Park District’s newly renovated Lodge at Laurelwood, 800 N. River St., along the Fox River. Red beans, bread pudding with caramel rum sauce and nonalcoholic beverages will be provided.

It's sponsored by N'awlins Edibles Catering & Personal Chef Services. The cost is $40 in advance and $45 that day. For details, visit shawurl.com/39or, email nawlinsedibles@gmail.com or call 630-696-8883.

A hot ticket all summer has been the guided trolley tours focused on the city's history and led by Chris Winter, curator of the Batavia Depot Museum. Some seats remain for the Aug. 15 tour, Museum Director Jennifer Putzier said. The tour runs from 1 to 2 p.m., with the trolley returning to the museum with time for exploring the exhibits. The trip costs $10. To register, visit bataviaparks.org.

The museum this summer is home to an outdoor victory garden exhibit. Putzier said the garden has produced enough to begin donating fresh vegetables to the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry. A theme of the victory garden is sowing the seeds of liberty, and she said a seed-saving program is planned for September.

Putzier said they already are gearing up for a bicentennial celebration of Mary Todd Lincoln’s 200th birthday in December and tickets will be available beginning in August. She said the program will take place at the civic center, and Donna Daniels will portray Mary Todd Lincoln for the festivities, which will include birthday cake, crafts and opportunities to explore the first lady’s life.

For details on the museum, visit bataviahistoricalsociety.org/visit-museum. For information on Park District events, visit bataviaparks.org.