Above / Dozens of American flags stood for the annual September 11 Observance, creating lasting memories along the Riverwalk to remember every day, thanks to Tom Stibbe and the Naperville Park District.
Just about any day! When planning a weekend or a staycation in Naperville, consider overnight stays at www.visitnaperville.com. Check out more than 270 dining locations at www.dinenaperville.com, many in downtown Naperville, such as Quigley’s Irish Pub at 43 E. Jefferson.
Thanks also for considering that many restaurants and hotels are short staffed at the moment. All patronage and patience is appreciated. Thanks for supporting local enterprises, especially small independent businesses, whenever possible and wherever you live!
Sept. 15 / Don’t Feed the Ducks! Paint it Forward to benefit the Riverwalk Foundation from 7 to 9PM Wed., Sept 15, at Pinot’s Palette in downtown Naperville. Find the Paint and Sip Studio at 175 W. Jackson Avenue. Reserve a spot or consider other upcoming themes on the calendar at (331) 457-5440.
Sept. 17 / Constitution Day! Visit a Naperville Library to learn about the U.S. Constitution. Or click here. Stand for liberty. Let freedom ring. Help enlighten all Americans, all ages, about the First Amendment and the cherished freedoms it protects. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Sept. 17 / KidsMatter celebrates 20th Anniversary! KidsMatter and Team B2B (Naperville Chamber Business to Business) are set to host EMPOWER Gala, a 20th anniversary benefit for KidsMatter. This year’s fun-filled evening kicks off at 6PM at the Chicago Marriott Naperville and will follow the theme, “The Game of Life,” focused on the needs of children, teens and young adults in DuPage and Will Counties. Chicago Bears quarterback and football great Jim McMahon will be the special guest of honor. The Game of Life ties directly into the mission of KidsMatter to build resilient kids who say “No” to destructive choices and “Yes” to endless possibilities, organizers said.
Sept. 17 & Sept. 18 / Naper Nights returns to Naper Settlement, a 13-acre outdoor history museum located at 523 S. Webster Street, just steps from shopping and dining in downtown Naperville.
- Sept. 17: 6PM The Doors Tribute (Of Perception); 8PM Rolling Stones Tribute (Rocks Off)
- Sept. 18: 6PM Grateful Dead Tribute (Paradise Waits); 8PM Phish Tribute (Runaway Gin)
Gates open at 5PM. The first performance begins at 6PM. Bring a lawn chair and/or blankets for a spot on the lawn. Tickets are $15 Adult, $10 Youth (4-12), Naper Settlement Members: FREE.
Sept. 18 & Sept 19 / Riverwalk Fine Art Fair returns on Saturday and Sunday, September 18 and 19, 2021, according to host and planner Naperville Art League. The 36th annual event will be held from 10AM to 5PM both days along Jackson Avenue between Eagle and Main streets in downtown Naperville. Free of Admission Charge.
Find more information about programs, classes, exhibits and membership at www.napervilleartleague.com.
Sept. 18 / The Naperville Hispanic Heritage Festival is planned from 11AM to 9PM Sat., Sept. 18, in Central Park, located at 104 E. Benton Avenue in downtown Naperville.
Hosted by the Naperville Sister Cities Foundation, the new event aims to celebrate Mexican culture with food, art and music while recognizing Mexican Independence Day.
Participating downtown merchants will feature special events and food specials.
The Naperville Municipal Band also will bring upbeat joyful rhythm from South of the Border during an evening performance at the inaugural Naperville Hispanic Heritage Fest. The public is welcome. Admission is free of charge. For more info, visit www.napervillehispanicfest.com.
Sept. 18 / Loaves & Fishes Community Services Night to End Hunger will be held this year at Medinah Country Club on Sat., Sept. 18. Whether or not you’re attending the sold-out event, you’re invited to participate in the auction to raise funds to support those who face hunger and financial crisis. Consider checking out some of the most unique auction items we’ve ever seen, including an NFT (non-fungible token). Own a unique digital blockchain for this original artwork created just for Loaves & Fishes.
Visit loaves21.givesmart.com and start bidding! The auction will close at 10PM Sat., Sept. 18. For additional assistance, contact Nicole Louis, Associate Director Advancement, nlouis@loaves-fishes.org, or (630) 355-3663 x115.
Sept. 19 / The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to fight Alzheimer’s. Join the 2021 event on Sun., Sept. 19, with registration at 8AM, ceremony at 9:30AM and walk at 10AM beginning at North Central College – Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, 455 S. Brainard Street. The goal is to raise $290,000. For more info, click here.
Sept. 19 / 8th Annual Judd-A-Thon starts promptly at 10:01AM Sun., Sept 19, at the Judd Kendall VFW Post. It’s a 0.1K fun run and fundraiser. A short run that will go a long way to help veteran and military families at the VFW National Home for Children.
Sept. 20 / Wonderful World of Wheels is set for 11AM to 1PM Mon., Sept. 20, a two-hour time slot for young children to explore community vehicles at the free event. Naperville Park District invites young children and their families to attend. Some of the vehicles featured this year include fire trucks, school buses and the Park District’s Reggie the Veggie tractor that runs on vegetable oil. Wonderful World of Wheels is held in the Whole Foods Naperville parking lot at 2607 West 75th Street.
Sept. 26 / Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Groundbreaking at Veterans Park. To help pay tribute to Gold Star Families, the Naperville Municipal Band will perform during a special ceremony for the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument beginning with a prelude at 1:45PM Sun., Sept. 26. The Naperville Men’s Glee Club also will perform. Hosted by the Woody Williams Foundation and Century Walk, the ceremony begins at 2PM at Veterans Park at 301 E. Gartner Road. The public is welcome.
Editor’s Note / Thanks to all community volunteers and sponsors, including the Naperville Park District, for all the help to make 2021 September events happen. Be safe.
If planning a weekend or a staycation in Naperville, consider overnight stays at www.visitnaperville.com. Check out more than 270 dining locations at www.dinenaperville.com, including Meson Sabika in the historic mansion with spacious patios at 1025 Aurora Avenue.
Positively Naperville in print is available at more than 25 local businesses. Meanwhile give thought to showing appreciation to all who work to make this community a good place to call home.