Above / The Riverwalk Civic Plaza along Jackson Street at Webster Street is a popular gathering place just steps from all that’s happening throughout downtown Naperville. Come visit any day!
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. Note pub hours are subject to change without notice. Quigley’s is now closed Mondays until further notice.
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!
NOW through Sept. 23 / Constitution Week! Visit any of the three branches of the Naperville Library to learn about Constitution Day on Sept. 17 during a weeklong exhibit of the U.S. Constitution that runs until Sept. 23, 2021. 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 18-19 / Riverwalk Fine Art Fair returns to downtown Naperville this weekend, 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.
Picture the work of 100 talented artists, many with a gift of gab, expressing appreciation to Riverwalk Fine Art Fair Chairwoman Debbie Venezia for putting together such a wonderful show. Yoram Gal, an almost-annual attender since 2005, is known to PN for his self portraits. When asked for permission to take photos, Gal joked, “Great artists don’t copy. They steal!” And he went on to credit another artist (Pablo Picasso) for saying “good artists borrow, great artists steal.”
Find more information about future art programs, classes, exhibits and membership at www.napervilleartleague.com.
Sept. 19 and so on / Central Park! Central Park welcomes visitors every day where the Naperville Community Concert Center tells the story of the Naperville Municipal Band that’s been around since 1859. Take note of the “The Great Concerto” mural and “Laughing Lincoln” sculpture on the Century Walk tour. Find other historical monuments, a gazebo contributed by the Naperville Evening Kiwanis and a playground for kids. Central Park is located at 104 E. Benton Avenue, just north of US Bank and Quigley’s Irish Pub in downtown Naperville.
Sept. 19-Sept. 30 / September is “Hunger Action Month.” Loaves & Fishes Community Services continues its quest to end hunger and transform lives every day while heightening awareness during the month recognized as “Hunger Action Month.” To plan a food drive or for additional assistance, contact Nicole Louis, Associate Director Advancement, at 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. Same Sunday every year!
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. 20 through Sept. 30 / Community Access Naperville’s Virtual Fall Fundraiser
is now. Celebrating 11 years, Community Access Naperville’s mission is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to work in, contribute to, and enjoy their community. Support this mission by learning more with a click here. Thanks!
Sept. 20 / School District 203 Board of Education Meets at 7PM Mon., Sept. 20. Click here for board documents for Monday’s meeting posted online. Note that this meeting will be held at Washington Junior High, 201 N. Washington Street. (Meeting now posted online here.)
Sept. 21 / Special Events & Cultural Amenities (SECA) Commission Public Arts Exploratory Task Force Meeting is slated for 6-8PM Tues., Sept. 21, at the 95th Street Library, Meeting Rooms A and B, 3015 Cedar Glade Rd.
Sept 21 / Naperville City Council Meeting is set to begin at 7PM Tues., Sept. 21. Click here for the agenda featured on the City’s website. The meeting, also streamed and broadcast live on government access cable TV (WCNC ie, Ch. 6 – WOW, Ch. 10 – Comcast, Ch. 99 – AT&T), will be held in City Council Chambers in the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. Click here to watch the Sept. 21, 2021 meeting.
Sept. 22 / Happy Change of Seasons! It’s Autumn! “Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn,” noted quotable Elizabeth Lawrence (1904-1985), internationally-known garden writer.
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 special ceremony begins with music at 1:45PM, followed by a 30-minute program at 2PM. Veterans Park is located at 301 E. Gartner Road. The public is welcome. Attendees might want to bring collapsible chairs.
Sept. 27 / School District 204 Board of Education Public Meeting begins at 7PM Mon., Sept. 27, 2021. Click here for more info about School District 204 BOE meetings held at the Crouse Education Center, located at 780 Shoreline Drive in Aurora.
Sept 30 through Oct. 14 / Oktoberfest returns to Water Street in downtown Naperville. SixtyFour-Wine Bar & Kitchen is bringing back its OKTOBERFEST celebration in the Weingarten Tent on Water Street in Downtown Naperville. From Sept. 30 through Oct. 14, SixtyFour’s OKTOBERFEST will feature local craft Oktoberfest beers and imported German beers, Austrian and German wines, authentic German cuisine and live music on most evenings. Safety protocols will be followed. SixtyFour’s regular food, wine and beer menu will still be available for patrons who would like to dine as they usually would at the wine bar, patio, or tent. Reservations are recommended at www.sixtyfourwinebar.com, or by calling (630) 780-6464.
And so on / 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 for day or evening dining at 1025 Aurora Avenue.
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.
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.
Last Updated / Sept. 21, 2021
