Naperville Park District schedules several summer/fall events
Naperville Park District is planning a series of special events for late summer and fall:
- “A Night at the Movies” screenings: “Elemental” at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at the 95th Street Community Plaza, 3109 Cedar Glade Drive; “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at Rotary Hill, 443 Aurora Ave.; and “Monsters Inc.” at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at the 95th Street Community Plaza.
- Wonderful World of Wheels, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at Wolf’s Crossing Community Park, 3252 Wolf’s Crossing Road. Designed for preschool-aged children and their families, the event showcases a variety of community vehicles, including a police car, fire truck and a tractor.
- Knoch Knolls Nature Center 10th anniversary celebration, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road. Outdoor yoga, prairie walks, a story walk, live animals and fish feeding will be offered.
- Summer Place Theatre will present “Ghost Stories in the Park … in the Dark,” an evening of scary stories, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; and at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Riverwalk’s Grand Pavilion, 912 Sindt Court.
- Halloween Happening, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Riverwalk’s Grand Pavilion. Family-friendly event with treats, activities, inflatables and games for children 10 and under.
While many of the events are free, others require a fee and advanced registration. For more information, go to www.napervilleparks.org.
Derek McDaniel announces Naperville City Council bid
Naperville business owner and financial advisor Derek McDaniel has launched his campaign for Naperville City Council in the April 2025 election.
A Naperville resident for more than 40 years and a graduate of Naperville Central High School, McDaniel is a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and the Downtown Advisory Committee and is on the board of directors for Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS).
He served on the boards for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, Naperville Community Television (NCTV17) and the Naperville Heritage Society.
He said in a news release that he is running to keep the council focused on local issues, keep families safe, reduce the tax burden and build upon what makes Naperville unique.
With an MBA from DePaul University, McDaniel said in the release that he will use his expertise in finance to make sure taxpayer funds are spent wisely and plans to advocate for a reduction in the city’s portion of the property tax bill.
Dinner on the River gala a fundraiser for 360 Youth Services
The Dinner on the River gala to benefit 360 Youth Services will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Elements at Water Street inside the Hotel Indigo, 123 Water St., Naperville.
The fundraiser also will include entertainment, silent and live auctions, raffles and dancing. Tickets are $150 per person. Sponsorships are available.
Funds raised will benefit 360 Youth Services, which offers substance use prevention education, counseling and housing for youth and their families in Naperville, Aurora and nearby communities.
Party-goers are asked to dress in neon attire to celebrate the evening’s vibrant energy.
To register, go to www.360youthservices.org/gala.
