Hundreds of families and friends attend the Batavia MainStreet Block Party and Taste of Batavia Sunday along the Riverwalk. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

Hundreds of families and friends celebrated the end of summer Sunday at the Batavia MainStreet Block Party and Taste of Batavia.

The event featured live entertainment at the Peg Bond Center Performing Arts Pavilion, food samples from local eateries, a car show and activities for kids.

The event was complete with the annual Batavia Mothers Club Pie Bakeoff that drew 27 contestants.

Mild temperatures seemed to generate a relaxed and carefree crowd in contrast to the early pandemic years, Batavia MainStreet Executive Director Beth Walker said.

“We definitely are seeing an easing of COVID-related tensions,” Walker said.

The crowds were noticeably lower last year, she said.

Twins Elora and Andrew Ruck, 5, of Batavia, sport some decorative face-painting which was done during the Batavia MainStreet Block Party and Taste of Batavia Sunday. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

“We saw a lot of masks and people were still hesitant about being around crowds. This year, people are excited to get things back to normal,” she said.

Other than a $5 wrist band to drink beer for adults, the event was free. 

The mission of MainStreet is to bring people to the downtown, Walker said. 

“Our slogan is downtown is everyone’s neighborhood,” Walker said.

“I appreciate the community vibe and friendship,” Batavia downtown yoga studio owner Denise Espinosa said as she relaxed on a Batavia Riverwalk bench.

Troy Harrison invited brother-in-laws Juan Ramirez and Eric Solorzano from Chicago and St. Charles to the Labor Day weekend event.

Harrison brought his three kids, Ramirez was babysitting four other family children and Solorzano had his child, with all of the kids at the bounce houses.

“The community feel is great and the bounce houses are a big hit with the kids,” Harrison said.

Michael Spillone of Aurora brought his three children, 5-month-old Lorenzo, Jaxon, 5, and Johnny, 12.

“We came for the kid activities and car show,” Spillone said.

Brad and Kelly Bender of Wheaton were with their two children and two of their friends at the Batavia event.

“Our friend from Batavia invited us to have good time and relax for the Labor Day holiday weekend. There definitely is a hometown feel here,” Brad Bender said.

The family brought their 1970 Chevelle to the car show on North River Street.

The family appreciated having something to do over the extended Labor Day weekend.

“It’s a comfortable night with a mild breeze coming through and we don’t have anything to stress about,” Bender said.

Jessica Ruck of Batavia came with her 5-year-old twins Elora and Andrew. The youngsters had some decorative face-painting done that made them resemble tigers.

“I want my children to see that supporting the community and being part of all that it offers is fun,” the Batavia mother said.

Ruck was in a band that opened the festival in previous years.

“Experiencing the arts, food and being outside is fun. We’re trying to hold on to summer as long as we can,” she said.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.