FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 Tri-Cities

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On your mark!
Competitive contests highlight Batavias Windmill City Festival
Daily Herald staff reports

Arcada Theatre to honor their longtime organist

Submitted by Onestis Arcada Theatre

fun. From noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 13-14, the Golf Challenge will let would-be golf pros take their shot at chipping a hole-in-one on a green floatD A I L Y H E R A L D F I L E P H O T O / J ul y 2 0 1 1 ing in the Depot The Windmill Whirl kids race takes off at last years Windmill City Festival in Museum pond. Batavia. From 8:45 to 10:45 p.m. Friday, rock out to the Game Stop Guitar Hero bags tournament. Competition. Sunday is when things get Saturday will feature the serious with the Windmill pet parade at 10 a.m. Invite Whirl, a 5K run and youth your furry or not-so furry 1-mile run. friend to this unique For kids, there will be Big parade and win pet prizes for Wheel races at noon and an the following categories: Best ice cream eating contest at 2 Trick, Fastest Wagging Tail, p.m. Most Spots, Longest Ears, At 3 p.m. Sunday, teams Most Unusual Pet, Best Cos- are invited to compete in the tume, Highest Jump and Best Fire Hose Challenge, using Kisser. fire hoses to send a ball across Registered parade partici- your opponents line. pants will receive a compliThe festival also features a mentary doggie bag to take carnival, food vendors, beer home courtesy of local spon- garden, nightly entertainment sors. Registration will be held on the main stage, and on Satnear the main stage from 9:15 urday, Touch a Truck, a farmJ O H N S T A R K S / jstarks@dailyherald.com, July 20 1 1 to 9:50 a.m. ers market and a craft show Festival food, anyone? Julio Garcia grills sausage and hamAlso on Saturday will be the and flea market. burgers at the Genoa Pizza stand during the last day of last Kane County Cougars Wiffle For a complete schedule, years Batavias Windmill City Festival. ball Home Run Derby and a visit windmillcityfest.com. If you have a competitive spirit, Batavias Windmill City Festival along the Riverwalk is the place to be this weekend. The event runs from noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 13; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 14; and 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 15. Free parking is available north of the government center. The three-day festival features several contests, and visitors of all ages can join in the

The volunteer responsible for preserving and celebrating the 1928 Marr and Colton pipe organ at the historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will be recognized at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at a special dedication ceremony the theaters owner says is long overdue. The special event is free, open to the public, and a milestone for the communitys arts and entertainment legacy. Jim Shaffer is as much of a treasure as the theater is itself, said Ron Onesti, owner of the Arcada Theatre. The joy Jim and his fellow organites spread is something we are extremely lucky to have. The countless hours they have spent maintaining and playing our priceless pipe organ evokes a sincere passion to keep the historic venue alive and enjoyed by all. Jim is a gift, one that I will always treasure. Shaffer, 76, is a member of Chicago Area Theatre Organ Enthusiasts, a group of volunteers who research, restore and maintain rare pipe organs like the one at the Arcada. With nearly 1,000 pipes hidden behind the walls of the theater, and a mechanism that raises the organ up from beneath the stage Phantom of the Opera style, the Arcadas organ is a cornerstone of the establishments history. Shaffer spends hours each week making sure the instrument is properly tuned, protected and showcased. Fondly referred to as the venues Resident Rockstar by Onesti, Shaffer treats

audiences to live organ concerts, during school group tours, before many Arcada concerts, and, as a special seasonal treat, during the theaters Scarecrow Fest screenings of The Wizard of Oz and holiday classic movies. Shaffer has been part of the Arcada for nearly four decades, serving as organist, a volunteer usher and, at times, a jack-of-all-trades. I really dont want to take all the glory here because theres guys like Bob Lin of Montgomery and Tim Roycroft of Wheaton and David Rhodes, CATOE president, who do it all, too, Shaffer added. Shaffer has also worked on restoring organs at the Tivoli in Downers Grove; St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein; the Patio Theatre in Chicago; and the Chicago Theatre. He says he owes his knowledge to the late Bill Barry. He broke me in, hes the guy who really taught me, said Shaffer, who hopes the public will enjoy the event and see what the organ is all about. A live organ performance and Q-and-A session, along with stories Shaffer recalls from his years at the theater, will be featured. Photos are also welcomed. To reserve free seats to this event, email Romi Herron, director of development for Onesti Entertainment. The Arcada Theatre is located at 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. For details, visit www. oshows.com.