Above / The view of downtown Naperville from the observation deck of Moser Tower features Ss. Peter and Paul in the distance. For information about times and tickets ($3) to climb the tower, visit the Riverwalk Café near the Riverwalk Quarry. Info about paddleboat rentals also is in the Riverwalk Café.
***Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Friday
Brats at Kreger’s / 10AM to 3PM Fridays and Saturdays / Kreger’s Brat and Sausage Haus, 606 N. Ellsworth / Stop by for lunch, conversation and camaraderie. Plan a barbecue and pick up handcrafted bratwurst for the grill. And be sure to tell Bill Kreger that you know his wurst is the best.
***Take 15 to 20 minutes to take 2023 Open Participation Community Survey / Now around the clock through Aug. 16 / Click city-launches-community-survey for the brief story posted in early July. The City encourages everyone to share the Open Participation survey link with their neighbors. The link is polco.us/naperville.
***Summer Place Theatre Presents Disney’s Newsies final weekend! / 7:30PM / Newsies will be performed at the Naperville Central High School Auditorium Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM on Aug. 4 and Aug. 5. Sunday Matinees are 3PM on Aug. 6. Purchase tickets ($20 adults / $15 Seniors & 18-Under) at summerplacetheatre.org/Tickets or call the Box Office at (630) 355-7969 and leave a message stating your name, contact number, desired number of tickets, and credit card information. Note: We enjoyed this musical in the cool auditorium during its first weekend. If Positively Naperville were a daily publication, our headline might proclaim, “Look for the Newsies Banner!” This high-energy, well-cast production continues this weekend.
**Live Music at Quigley’s Irish Pub / 8:30PM at Quigley’s Irish Pub – 43 E. Jefferson Ave. Naperville, IL 60540 / And Quigley’s Irish Pub features live music Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Stop by for a cool pint, live music and honest pub fare. Weather permitting, the patio is open every day!
Saturday
Naperville Farmers Market / 7AM to Noon at Fifth Avenue Station – 200 East 5th Ave. Naperville, IL 60540 / The Farmers Market runs June through November with June-November we host 50-plus vendors every Saturday 7AM-noon.
Naperville Children’s Business Fair / 10AM to Noon at Naperville Central High School – 440 W. Aurora Ave. Naperville, IL 60540 / This event, run by local high school students, features a unique opportunity for children ages 5-14 to test the waters of entrepreneurship through starting their own businesses and selling products and services at a one-day, farmers market-type event. The past two fairs have been a huge success, with more than 200 kidpreneurs and 130 businesses positively impacting an estimated 1500+ community members. www.childrensbusinessfair.org.
Naperville Halal Fest / Noon to 8PM at Frontier Park – 3380 Cedar Glade Dr. Naperville, IL 60564 / The Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce is hosting the inaugural Halal Fest in Naperville on Aug. 5, 2023, at Frontier Park. This event will showcase the vibrant and diverse Muslim lifestyles of the Naperville and Greater Chicagoland area, representing cultures from around the world. Attendees will have the opportunity to indulge in a rich array of experiences, including food, traditional attire, arts, culture, and more. www.eventbrite.com/e/naperville-halal-fest-tickets-656230722757.
***Festa Italiana / Noon to 10PM at Naper Settlement – 523 S. Webster St. Naperville, IL 60540 / Channel your inner Italian and celebrate the music, food, culture, and spirit of Italy. Come with an empty belly and join our meatball eating contest or sip on your favorite vino at our Tuscan-inspired wine bar. You’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of Italy. The music will have you flying to the moon, Las Vegas, and the Italian Canal all in one fun filled weekend. Enjoy live music each night of Festa Italiana 2023 under the stars, browse our premium vendors and make memories with the whole family in our carnival kid’s area. Admission is $10. The fest runs Friday through Sunday, hours vary each day. www.starevents.com/event/festa-italiana.
***Summertime on the Patios at Mesón Sabika / Find a choice in patios at Mesón Sabika to sample Spanish tapas and delicious sangria for lunch and dinner. Located just west of downtown Naperville at 1025 Aurora Avenue, Mesón Sabika has been serving the community since 1990. Built in 1847, the historic mansion with eight air-conditioned dining rooms is set in a beautifully landscaped four-acre estate, providing a welcoming sight with plenty of parking for lunch, dinner, special events, benefits, weddings, meetings and family gatherings throughout the year.
Sunday
Sprint Triathlon / 7-11AM at Centennial Beach and downtown Naperville – 500 West Jefferson Ave. Naperville, IL 60540 / The Sprint Triathlon is a 375 meter swim, 22K bike and 5K run. The Duathlon is a 1 mile run, 22K bike and 5K run. The Aqua bike is a 375 meter swim and a 22K bike. The Kids Triathlon is a 175 meter swim, 11K bike and a 5K run. This sold-out event is sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT).
***Summer Sights along the Riverwalk / Now through Labor Day Weekend and then some… / The Paddleboat Quarry (with paddleboats and kayaks for rent), Carillon Concerts (7PM Tuesdays) at the site of Moser Tower, Jaycees Playground and Centennial Beach now are open for the summer season. Stroll the winding Naperville Riverwalk available every day of the year from the Jefferson Avenue Bridge to the Hillside Road Bridge. And, of course, right now, passersby can pause to watch construction underway for rebuilding the Washington Street Bridge near Fredenhagen Park. Remember! With progress comes patience.
***Flying into Summer in downtown Naperville / YESTERDAY, NOW, TOMORROW AND THE NEXT DAY THIS SUMMER! / Come-see-ums, a.k.a. benches in the shape of dragonflies, welcome folks to explore talents of local artists such as teens at the Alive Center that tell encouraging and vibrant stories from now until September on the streets where local residents live. Come shop, dine and/or sit for a spell! Click here for story about 19 benches “Flying into Summer.”
“Be patient and calm – for no one can catch fish in anger.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) 31st U.S. President
***Enjoy Centennial Beach, a summertime favorite in the heart of Naperville!
Every day this summer… Dine Naperville!
‘Marches, Melodies & Music’ is now on display at Naperville Bank & Trust during business hours, Monday through Saturday!
Visit Naperville Bank and Trust, Washington Street at Benton Avenue, to see an exhibit of vintage photos and artifacts that help tell the story of the Naperville Municipal Band that dates back to 1859 and how Conductor Ron Keller has fit into its history for 70 years. Then consider packing a picnic for the final NMB concert of the 2023 summer season at 7:30PM Thurs., Aug. 10, as the community says “Thanks for the Memories.”
