One of the largest annual events in Kane County is on tap this week as the Geneva Chamber of Commerce will stage the 75th annual Swedish Days festival beginning Wednesday in Geneva.
The event features a carnival, live music, shopping, food, a community parade, kids’ activities and more.
The five-day event, which goes through Sunday, June 22, draws an estimated 200,000 visitors annually to downtown Geneva during its run, organizers said.
The Geneva Chamber of Commerce website said the event “celebrates the heritage of Swedish immigrants who settled in the area.”
“Today, nearly every member of the Geneva community participates in some way, either as a volunteer or participant in the festivities,” according to the website.
Johanna Patterson, communications director for the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, said the fest used to run for six days.
“This used to start the Tuesday after Father’s Day, but after we came back from COVID, we shortened it by a day,” she said. “Early on, this was known as Geneva Butter Days and then it became Geneva Days and now Swedish Days which it has been now for a number of years. I think this event continues to have traction because it’s popular with visitors and locals. It’s kind of a local, unofficial kick-off for summer.”
Patterson said having the event the week after Father’s Day “is a good time of year as well.”
“People are still generally in town, and there’s a lot of live music for free. There’s a lot of food, the carnival and the beer tent,” she said. “There are sales and specials at all the merchants along the street, and I think that also draws the crowds. It’s just all of those things combined.”
New events this year at the festival include a pickleball tournament run by the Geneva Park District that will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday on Third Street.
Those looking to participate in the tournament need to go to https://www.genevaparks.org/event/swedish-days-pickleball-tournament/ to sign up.
Also, the Mid-Summer Masterpiece event, featuring a sidewalk chalk art competition, will be held Saturday morning at Dodson Place at 500 S. Third St. that will include categories for both children and adults.
“We provide the chalk and then there are prizes for first and second place,” Patterson said. “We are also doing Bingo in the beer tent on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. which is new, and a wine tasting in the beer tent on Thursday, also from 4 to 6 p.m., for those who don’t love beer.”
The carnival at the fest opens on Wednesday and provides unlimited rides with the purchase of a wristband.
Friday will be Kids Day, which will include a parade leaving from Campbell and Fourth streets at 11 a.m. followed by activities at the Geneva Public Library.
At 1 p.m. on Sunday, the 75th annual Swedish Days Parade will be held beginning at Anderson Boulevard and Center Street downtown.
Patterson said Swedish Days is a staple in Geneva.
“It’s a great gathering of people that are out for just a positive vibe which is nice and there is something for someone of all ages from young to old,” Patterson said.
For a full list of events, go to https://genevachamber.com/events/swedish-days
