Batfest returns as Batavia MainStreet hosts event featuring costume parade, face painting and more

Batavia MainStreet will host its annual BatFest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, in downtown Batavia.

Festivities will kick off with the BatFest Community Parade, which encourages participants to show off their costumes. Lineup will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the parade starting at 10 a.m.

From 10 a.m. to noon, there will be downtown trick-or-treating, coffee and mini doughnuts from Joe & Dough at The Wilson Street Mercantile and Super Mario World and face painting hosted by New Moon Vegan, according to a news release from Batavia MainStreet.

Other highlights include a magician and balloon artist at Hearth & Hammer, a reptile show at the Congregational Church of Batavia and BatFest stories at the Batavia Public Library Reading Garden, according to the release.

The reptile show will have two sessions: one from 10 to 11:15 a.m. and another from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

The final farmers market of the season will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be activities such as Incredible Bats at Sturdy Shelter Brewing and a pumpkin roll hosted by Boy Scout Troop 6, according to the release.

The BatFest booths and performances at Peg Bond Center will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be a costume contest at 12:15 p.m. sponsored by Arlo.Hendrix and a pet costume contest hosted by Batavia Animal Clinic at 1 p.m.

For a full list of events and activities, visit downtownbatavia.com.

Presenting sponsors are Kurt Hagemann of Gateway Financial Partners, Elliff Dental and Gerald Subaru of North Aurora.

Batavia MainStreet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing downtown Batavia through volunteer efforts, according to the release.

For more information, call 630-761-3528 or email info@DowntownBatavia.com.