Above / Early Voting for the Illinois Primary Election began March 2 and runs through March 16 in the lower level at the Naperville Municipal Center. When you go to vote early, you’re sure to get a good taste of creativity from the art exhibit, a showcase of delectable paintings and sculpture by students in School District 203.
Click here for PN’s Voters Guide, a listing of candidates running to serve Naperville. Remember! Polls also will be open from 6AM to 7PM on Primary Election Day, Tues., March 17.
Friday
World War II Commemorative Exhibits – 10AM | $6, $5 and $4 (Naperville residents Free with proof of residency)
Naper Settlement Visitor Center, 523 S. Webster Street and Aurora Avenue Naperville, IL 60540
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2020, Naper Settlement is hosting themed educational programs, exhibits, and events, dedicated to telling Naperville and the nation’s World War II Home Front history. The museum’s World War II offerings opened on March 5 with three exhibits on display through Memorial Day. For more information on Naper Settlement’s World War II educational programming, exhibits, and events, visit www.NaperSettlement.org/HomeFrontHistory. Tuesday – Friday: 10 AM – 4 PM / Sunday, Monday, & Saturday: Closed. Weekend hours with summer rates begin April 1, 2020.
Friday Fish Fry at Catch 35! and/or Lenten Fish Frenzy– 11:30AM | Cost varies with food or beverage purchase
Catch 35 – 35 S. Washington Naperville, IL 60540
All you care to enjoy Fish Fry Fridays $19.95. Georges Bank haddock – crispy fries – coleslaw – tartar sauce – malt vinegar. Available every Friday during Lent. Book Now at www.catch35.com. Also, fresh seafood specials featured daily through April 10. View Menu.
Naperville VFW “All You Can Eat” Fish Fry open to the public – 4:30PM | $7-$13 (includes tax)
Judd Kendall VFW Naperville Il – 908 W Jackson Av Naperville, IL 60540
Naperville VFW All You Can Eat Fish Fry open to the public every Friday 4:30-7:30PM through April 10 at the Judd Kendall VFW, 908 W Jackson Ave, Naperville. The buffet menu varies but there will be two kinds of fish, chicken, salad, vegetables, (8 hot items) plus rolls, desert and coffee all included. Buffet by Belgio’s Catering. Full cash bar available. Adults $13, seniors $11, children $7 (prices now include tax), 3 and under FREE! Cash and credit cards accepted. Event phone number (630) 420-9820. Fridays through April 10, 2020.
Men’s NCAA Division III Basketball – 5PM | $12 Adults, $7 Senior/ Students with Valid ID
North Central College Merner Field House/Gregory Arena – 50 S. Brainard St., Naperville 60540
North Central will host the first two rounds of the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship Friday and Saturday at Gregory Arena. Transylvania Pioneers vs. Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans in first round of NCAA Division III Tournament. Doors open at 3:45PM. The Cardinals will play against Adrian College (Michigan) at 7:30PM Friday. Click HERE for ticket information and live coverage options. Sunday Update! Cardinals (84) vs. Titans (82), 7PM Sat., March 7. And the Cardinals advance again!
Waubonsie Valley High School Planetarium Family Night – 5:30PM | $2
Waubonsie Valley High School – 440 West Aurora Ave Aurora, IL 60540
The community is invited to the next Planetarium Family Night at Waubonsie Valley High School on Friday, March 6. The evening will feature a special Harry Potter themed night with the program, “Skies above Hogwarts.” In addition to the planetarium show, students from Waubonsie Valley’s Room of Requirement Club will have Harry Potter trivia and crafts in the planetarium hallway from 5:30 to 7:30PM. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume or come as a muggle. Shows are at 6:00, 6:45, and 7:30PM. All visitors must purchase a $2 show ticket in advance online. For more info, visit the planetarium’s website.
Monologue Show at NVHS- 5:30PM & 8:30PM | $7
Neuqua Valley High School – 95th Street Naperville, IL 60564
Neuqua Valley High School presents “The Monologue Show” in the school’s Black Box venue at 5:30PM and 8PM on Friday, March 6. This production features original student work and empowers student performers, often shining a light on relatable issues. Viewer discretion may be advised based on the content of the material performed. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased online at nvhstheatre.com. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, cash/check only. Attendees should enter at Door #10. Also at 3PM and 7PM on Saturday, March 7.
Live Music at Quigley’s – 8:30PM | Cost varies with food or beverage purchase
Quigley’s Irish Pub – 43 E. Jefferson Naperville, IL 60540
Visit Quigley’s for live music most Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights… Note: Breakfast is served beginning at 10AM Saturdays and Sundays. And every day the Irish pub offers a homemade “Soup of the Day!” Sláinte!
Special reminder regarding upcoming 2020 Census… All Naperville, Illinois, residents are encouraged to help “shape your future” by participating in the 2020 Census Count beginning in mid-March. No matter how individuals take it, the 2020 Census is less than 10 questions, will take less than 10 minutes, and will shape every individual’s future for 10 years when the next census will be taken.
America’s founders designed the ambitious plan to empower the people over their new government back in 1790. By counting every individual living in the United States of America in 2020 (All 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories), the count determines representation in the Congress. Be counted! April 1 is 2020 Census Day!
Saturday
FROZEN JR. – 11AM | $15, Students $10
Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Naperville, IL 60540
Brightside Theatre presents Disney Frozen Jr. when “kids perform for kids” at 11AM and 2PM Saturdays and 6PM Sunday through March 15. For advance tickets, call (630) 447-8497. For more info, visit www.BrightSideTheatre.com.
Steel Magnolias – 8PM | $30 and $25
Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Naperville, IL 60540
STEEL MAGNOLIAS presents an all-female cast, directed by Stephanie Murphy. Opens Fri., March 6, and runs through March 22, 2020, with performances at 8PM Fridays, 8PM Saturdays and 3PM Sundays. For advance tickets, call (630) 447-8497. For more info, visit www.BrightSideTheatre.com.
Super Online 2020 Raffle Package featured at Little Friends Gala, March 7
Though the Little Friends Gala is another sold-out event, players do not have to attend the Auction to participate or win the Super Online Raffle featured above. New to this year, the Super Online Raffle package ($3,500 value) was donated by Live Nation Season Tickets. To purchase a ticket ($100 apiece), visit https://littlefriends.ejoinme.org/online. The winning ticket for an 18-Person VIP Sky Suite to enjoy an outdoor concert at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre will be announced at the 2020 Benefit Auction on Sat., March 7. All proceeds benefit Little Friends.
Men’s NCAA Division III Basketball – 7PM | $12 Adults, $7 Senior/ Students with Valid ID
North Central College Merner Field House/Gregory Arena – 50 S. Brainard St., Naperville 60540
North Central will host next round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship Saturday at Gregory Arena. North Central College Cardinals vs. Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans in second round of NCAA Division III Tournament. Update! Cardinals (84) vs. Titans (82), 7PM Sat., March 7. And the Cardinals advance again!
When you retire Saturday night, remember to set your clocks ahead one hour.
Sunday
A Pint for Kim – 9AM – Donate Gift of Life
Iron Gate Motor Condos – 2212 Ferry Road Naperville IL 60563
A charity blood drive event is slated from 9AM to 2PM Sun., March 8, 2020, at Iron Gate Motor Condos on Naperville’s north west side. The goal is to raise 100,000 pints of blood in Kim Sandford’s name. See this story of selfless love and giving on this website.
Pictures with the Leprechaun at Quigley’s – 10AM – FREE
Quigley’s Irish Pub – 43 E. Jefferson Avenue Naperville IL 60540
Decked out to celebrate St. Patrick, Quigley’s Leprechaun will pose for family photos from 10AM to 1PM. Create a keepsake. Bring your own cameras. Quigley’s will provide the Irish-style hats and the setting back by the hearth!
West Suburban Wedding Showcase at Hotel Arista – 11AM – FREE
Hotel Arista in CityGate Centre – 2139 CityGate Lane Naperville IL 60563
Hotel Arista will join CityGate Grille to co-host the West Suburban Wedding Showcase from 11AM to 3PM Sun., Mar. 8, at Hotel Arista. Exhibitors in Hotel Arista’s Grand Ballroom will include local florists and photographers, linen, lighting and draping providers, entertainment, cakemakers, stationery designers, and transportation services, among others, and the CITYGATE campus shuttle service will be available for tours of the indoor and outdoor wedding and event spaces on the 56-acre CITYGATE campus.
It’s Rocket Science for Babies! Noon – $$
DuPage Children’s Museum- 301 N. Washington Street Naperville IL 60563
Chris Ferrie, physicist and #1 bestselling science author for kids proves it is never too early to introduce children (and adults) to big ideas with his science books for babies. Ferrie will be visiting DuPage Children’s Museum from Noon to 12:30PM on Sunday, March 8, to do a reading and lead activities around his book series Baby University. Books will be available for purchase onsite. This event is included with Museum admission or membership. For info, visit dupagechildrens.org/visit.
Year-round entertainment, shopping & dining…
Think Dinner & the Show at North Central College
Think dinner and the show and combine a gift certificate/card to a restaurant and theater tickets to performances on stage at North Central College. Perhaps give memberships to places such as Naper Settlement, DuPage Children’s Museum or Naperville Art League.
Every season is a good time to give DNA gift cards to create an experience in 2020. Good at more than 165 businesses, Downtown Naperville Gift Cards make great gifts for teachers, coaches, graduates and anyone. With a Downtown Naperville gift card, the recipient can find a new outfit, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, take a fitness class, pick up a pair of new running shoes, discover a great new book, pick up special baskets of treats and/or enjoy a delicious meal among so many choices to please about every lifestyle.
Downtown Naperville gift cards may be purchased in person at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (ask for a gift box and bow) or Pinot’s Palette, 175 W. Jackson; or Trails & Tides, 120 Water Street; or Vom Fass, 121 S. Washington (recently added location). You may also order via phone by calling (630) 355-4141 or ordering online.
Or give special certificates for a pair of tickets or an entire table to one of the community’s many charity galas or golf outings this year.
*Find more things to do under ‘Upcoming Events’ in the column to the right…
Take a break! Dine Around Naperville!
From Catch 35* to Meson Sabika* and many destinations N.E.W. and S, discover more than 260 delicious places to dine in or take out, and find many with a patio* at www.dinenaperville.com.
Note that 40-plus eateries are located throughout downtown Naperville where there are plenty of shopping opportunities in between meals.
In addition to lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, Meson Sabika provides a lovely setting for dinners with family, friends and neighbors. Every Friday festivities are accompanied by a Spanish guitar and Flamenco dancer. Looking forward to all seasons, the historic site is a place for outdoor weddings and other special occasions inside the mansion, outside on the patio or in the spacious Pavilion. The beautiful mansion with intimate rooms also provides a romantic setting for any date night. Plus… put all your eggs and good times in one basket during Meson Sabika’s Annual Easter Brunch from 10AM to 6PM Sun., April 12, when, weather permitting, kids can join the hunt for colored eggs and meet Mr. Bunny. Reservations for Easter Brunch are now being accepted at (630) 983-3000. Meson Sabika is located at 1025 Aurora Ave.
Hospitality shows and matters in Naperville
For a listing of all 19 lodging choices in Naperville, offering more than 2,500 rooms, visit visitnaperville.com. Whether planning a wedding, corporate or sporting event; special meeting; family reunion or an extended stay while home construction is temporarily in progress, Naperville can put guests up for a night or a month or more.
Economic development and tourism go hand in hand. Thanks for supporting the local economy by planning a “staycation” itinerary here and inviting friends and family to come discover Naperville this summer.
From art exhibits at North Central College to outdoor art in public places called Century Walk, from the DuPage Children’s Museum to Naper Settlement, from the Riverwalk and Central Park in downtown Naperville to more than 100 neighborhood parks throughout the city, and from Naperville Crossings at 95th Street to shopping destinations dotting the landscape here and there, check out everything this community has to offer north, east, west and south. In other words, consider Naperville N.E.W.S.!
Everybody is welcome to enjoy the charm, culture, rich history, educational opportunities and sporting events that are homegrown and treasured (and oftentimes free of admission charge) in this community every day.
Think Dinner & the Show at North Central College
It’s Leap Year! Be prepared to vote… twice! It’s Primary Campaign Season / Thanks to all registered voters for taking an interest to meet & greet the candidates (click here) in advance of Primary Election Day on March 17, 2020, when voters go to the polls to elect hopefuls for the General Election on Nov. 3, 2020.
And there’s more latest news…
Look forward with photo-enhanced stories every day on PN’s Latest News. In addition to events and other happenings, find public meeting notices scheduled at the Naperville Municipal Center.
Check out PN’s Events Calendar for other events as well as to help plan next week and upcoming weekends.
Navigation Bar across top features links to other events calendars, etc.
On the navigation bar atop the Events Calendar, find calendars specific to Annual Festivals & Traditions over the course of the year as well as this month’s Book Events hosted by Anderson’s, North Central College Performing Arts and happenings at Naper Settlement.
PN’s Event Calendar features Things to Do, too!
Plus… Event planners can post events.
