The Batavia MainStreet group will accept applications beginning Oct. 1 for the 2026 season of the Batavia Boardwalk Shops, a small business incubator in downtown Batavia.
Applications to take part in the program are due by Jan. 15, 2026, officials with Batavia MainStreet said in a press release.
Now entering its seventh season, the program aims to foster small business and draw visitors to downtown Batavia, according to the release.
The program offers 10 shops that are 12 feet by 12 feet in size at the corner of Wilson and River streets. The spots offer entrepreneurs a retail space to expand their business, test a new concept or pilot a downtown location, Batavia MainStreet officials said.
The 2026 season will run May 8 through Dec. 20.
“Each season, we select 10 businesses to showcase a variety of offerings and work closely with them, providing ongoing support, training and regional marketing to help them succeed,” says Kristen Desler, assistant director of Batavia MainStreet, in the release.
Applicants will be invited for interviews with the jury committee and selections will be
announced by Jan. 31, 2026, officials said.
For more information, go to downtownbatavia.com, email info@downtownbatavia.com or call 630-761-3528.
Metea Valley to stage children’s show ‘Fairy Tale Misfits’
The Metea Valley High School theater program will present a children’s show, “Fairy Tale Misfits,” a spoof of “Alice in Wonderland” and other fairy tales, in four upcoming performances.
Showtimes are 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at the high school, 1801 N. Eola Road, Aurora.
General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and children under 10.
The audience is asked to arrive at least 15 minutes before showtime and enter through door 5. Seats are first come, first served.
For tickets and more information, go to www.meteavalleytheater.org.
Cemetery Walk planned in Oswego
Reservations are now being taken for the Oswego Cemetery Walk, set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Oswego Township Cemetery on South Main Street in Oswego.
The Oswego Cemetery Walk is hosted annually by the Oswegoland Park District in partnership with the Oswegoland Heritage Association.
During the event, groups of visitors will be guided through the cemetery where they will hear brief presentations by the “ghosts” of four early Oswego residents who are buried in the cemetery, according to a press release about the event.
The “ghosts” will relate events of their lives and the history that was going on around them during that time period in Oswego, with stories ranging from sad to humorous, officials said.
An adult must accompany all children at the event, according to the release.
Reservations are required and cost $10 per person. To reserve a spot, call the Oswegoland Park District at 630-554-1010 or go online to bit.ly/LWSMPrograms.
Little Free Library opens in Plano
The new First Lutheran Church of Plano Children’s Little Free Library was dedicated at the church at 200 N. Center St. in Plano on Sept. 20, church officials said.
The library boasts an official charter and joins over 200,000 Little Free Libraries around the world, church officials said in a press release.
The Children’s Little Free Library was designed and created by Virgil Hyte, the release stated. The children’s library is intended to provide gently used books to kids in the community. Donations of children’s books for the library will be accepted at the church, officials said.
Coloring books, complete puzzles, small boxes of crayons, bookmarks and stickers may be donated as well at the church, according to the release.
Harvest Soup and Chili Stroll set for Oct. 19
Downtown Naperville will be the site of the Harvest Soup and Chili Stroll from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19.
Check-in will take place at Tapville Social Private Dining Room, 216 S. Washington St., and there will be staggered start times to ensure a smooth flow, organizers said.
During the event, participants will stop at seven different downtown restaurants and receive a portion of soup, stew or chili. Drinks and other food are available for purchase at each stop.
Participants can vote at the end of their stroll for their favorite dish.
Tickets are $35 per person and include the soup tastings. For more information, go to www.downtownnaperville.com.
Waubonsee Community College to hold College Night
Waubonsee Community College will host College Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, in the Academic and Professional Center on its Sugar Grove campus at Route 47 and Waubonsee Drive.
More than 100 public and private colleges and universities will be represented at the event, which is open to the public, according to a press release about College Night.
Workshops on choosing a major, financial aid and advice for choosing a college will be available at the event, organizers said.
Attendees and their families can also take advantage of free pre-event bonus sessions, including “How Will AI Affect Technology, Your Future and Your Future Career” from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and “Design the Future: Architecture, Engineering and Computer Aided Design (CAD) at Waubonsee” from 5 to 6 p.m.
There will also be a guided tour of the Sugar Grove campus offered at 5 p.m., event organizers said.
To register for pre-event sessions, or to view a full list of participating schools, go to waubonsee.edu/collegenight.