Always fun to walk around Geneva especially during this annual festival. This year the weather…read moreeven cooperated. Shops are open and it's a good way to get a jump start holiday shopping.

As always I love Geneva. I think this is very nice and well organized fest. I appreciate the…read morepolice taking time to cross the visitors from the busy traffic. I love the fact their is something for everyone here. Wine, ice-cream, pizza, tacos, frozen bananas, Chinese food, vendors and music concerts. Geneva is the number place to live and to have fun. Family time and and quality fun time with friends. There is so much to do you will need time to enjoy everything

This is my favorite festival every year, and I'm always so excited to go again! It's held in Good…read moreTemplar Park, which is not typically open to the public, and people open up their cottages, many built in the 1930s, as little "shops", so you can both see the cottages and do some shopping. Since Geneva was founded by Swedes and many people who historically had/have cottages (stugas in Swedish) here are of Scandinavian descent, you will see many Dala horses, vikings, gnomes, as well as yarn craft, jewelry, woodworking, candles, vintage books, ornaments, and more. One cottage today had demonstrations by rosemaling painters, the traditional Norwegian painting style often seen on wooden plates, trunks, furniture and other items. I was fortunate to speak with Lynn, who told me about her process (her motto was "Exhale and feel your passion for painting"; she also said not to hold the brush like a pen, in that there is no pressure on it, just guide it. She triple loaded paint colors onto a small flat paint brush and said she makes designs shaped like Ss and Cc, and that there are "no mistakes," if a kid bumps the table or something it can always be fixed or changed.) Another artist whose art you will encounter everywhere at this event is Kathy McPartland; her whimsical gnomes, Dala horses and flowers are on the fliers and signage for the festival, and you can buy her cards, books and prints at this fair. Tina Druce-Hoffman was another artist present who makes beautiful intaglio prints, including a limited edition one for the event. They have added extra vendors in tents around the park, which was something new this year. Overall, I will always come back to this charming event.

So unique! Tiny little cottages in a wooded area along a…read morecreek. Some are private residences but about 20 of them are opened for sale of arts and crafts. $8 to enter in 2018. We had no ideas what Templar's were. Good lessons from the past.

We've been to Swedish Days in the past and found it to be your above average town festival. Plenty…read moreof vendors, food, drinks, rides and carnival games, etc. Today however, we went to the Swedish Day parade..our first time seeing this part of the festival. The route runs through three different roads and lasted a good 2 hrs. They featured a good number of high school bands and other lively entertainment, including a ton of Shriners. Our favorite was a South Side performance group and the Jesse White Tumblers. Neither disappoint. We went with a large group of of friends who corded off and staked a tent for our groups use. If you're going with a large group you'll want to arrive early and do the same, as the parade route gets pretty packed. Cheers.

Geneva is gorgeous so any fest held in their downtown is enjoyable, however...the Swedish Vast area…read morewas pretty disappointing. It was small and tucked away from the main strip area of the fest, with little foot traffic. There was an interesting dance performance, yet the audience attendance was so small that I think they did a terrible job letting fest goers know about it. I was really expecting the Swedish theme to be more prominent (the main reason we came to check it out) but it was definitely lacking and gave off a generic summer fest vibe. Hopefully they will play it up more for future fests, until then I will not return.

Basically for kids - not adults. Not much food either. Just want what I was expecting at all. Was…read moredying for a corn on the cob - had none.

We have been going to the scarecrow festival on and off for at least 20 years. This years was not…read moreat all like previous years. There are not as many scarecrows as in past years, and they are no longer displayed in the park. They are scattered around town in front of stores and restaurants. The craft fair was half the size it was in the past. In the past the vendors would be from all over the state, many were selling bought items. St. Charles has lots to offer, but this fest could not compare to previous ones.

Saw a TV news article about this 2-day festival and decided to check it out with my daughter this…read morepast weekend 8/16 & 17 at the Kane County Fair Grounds. Wish we would have gone on Saturday, but Sunday was a good experience too, albeit probably a bit more mellow as things were winding down. There were many exhibits featuring a multicultural casts of characters, horses galore, live bands, and dogs were welcome and being walked about the grounds. The junk food was abundant and delicious (in moderate quantities, of course). I would recommend bringing the kids next summer and wearing a pair of shoes you're not afraid will get dusty. Wish they would advertise this event more as I'm sure many more folks would attend!

First visit to this event today and never again. $38 to see 5 houses is the program with tea and…read morecookies at a church. Visited one mediocre house that we toured in 4-5 minutes with the majority of that time taking off our shoes carrying them through the small first floor and putting them back on as we left. It was more of an advertisement for the florist who provided the greenery (which was lovely). Next house, line around the block to get into another seemingly mediocre house so we decided not to wait. next house - street is closed off so you have to park along the shoulder (50+ cars) and walk across a busy street into the subdivision to find the house. apparently the neighbors don't want the traffic but accept the proceeds of the walk which goes towards decorating geneva. The cottage downtown had no parking for blocks. by now, we've 'toured' one house and spent alot of time driving but seen nothing. save your money / donate it to a worthy cause but don't waste it on this house walk. so not worth it.

I have attended the Christmas House Tour for many years. This years was the worst, terribly…read morecrowded. Horribly long long lines. Frustrating.

While I usually have to beg and plead my husband to visit STC, he was a good sport and accompanied…read moreme with to the Holiday Electric Parade. He grew up around the area, and isn't the biggest fan of parades, but was a good sport. I love visitng St. Charles and think it's a quaint little community. A lot of people showed up and the residents and visitors were out in droves claiming their piece of the concrete with their fold up chairs and blankets. J & I found a pretty good place to stand and watch the parade by Harris Bank. Harris Bank was giving out complimentary cocoa, coffee (big cups too) and cookies and the bathrooms were open. Very nice touch on their part! Parade pretty much started on time and moved along like a parade should. I can't stand big long gaps in between. It was fun seeing all the lights and all the whimsical christmas- floats trotting down Main Street. Nice that they had an announcer pointing out which float/ group people were from. Dragon Float was impressive with steam coming out. Didn't stay for the entire thing, had to beat the traffic out, but glad we went. Parking was free and treats were a bonus. It was a tad cold, but a fun thing to do and something new that we haven't tried. Great for kids. I appreciate the fact that St. Charles makes a point to engage the residents.