After a two-year hiatus, a downtown Naperville block party is making a comeback — possibly for the last time.
Naperville Neighborly Day, formerly known as Old Naperville Day, will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday on West Chicago Avenue between Washington and Main streets.
DuPagePads, a local nonprofit that aims to end homelessness in DuPage County, is organizing the event this year.
“The intent is to share about the unseen population of homelessness that still does exist and still does rely on the kindness of neighbors, but also to be a giveback and a thank you to the many volunteers … spread across the community to come out and enjoy a little bit of food, music and gratitude from us,” said Chad Pedigo, DuPagePads chief development officer.
The Lantern tavern threw the first iteration of the block party in 2016 as a celebration for its 50th anniversary.
“Everybody just had such a great time that at the point, the mayor was Steve Chirico and he proclaimed Old Naperville Day to be celebrated every August,” said Teri Feldott, co-manager of The Lantern. “We’ve haven’t done it every year, but we’ve had a few block parties and it’s been great.”
The event was on hold in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently there was another two-year hiatus due to the Washington Street bridge construction.
While The Lantern is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, it’s taking more of a back seat in this year’s gathering.
Organizing the event is a lot of work and the business doesn’t always make a profit from it, Feldott said. She added that as time progressed, the event became more about raising money for charity than about celebrating The Lantern, leading the business to pass the baton to DuPagePads.
“We’re going to host it in its original form one more time and then look at potentially altering the event, whether that’s in a different location or a different type of setting,” Pedigo said.
DuPagePads was first involved with the block party in 2019 to raise funds and awareness for the nonprofit. Before that, Operation Support Our Troops – America benefited from the event.
As Old Naperville Day rebrands this year, Pedigo said the intention is to recognize everyone in the area who has either volunteered with DuPagePads or benefitted from its services. Naperville is the organization’s largest service area, with more than 1,000 volunteers from the city.
“We see it as an opportunity to host what is meant to feel like your traditional, Americana nostalgic event … while also learning about and supporting the work that’s being done to help neighbors who are less fortunate,” Pedigo said.
Activities will include the return of the free single-elimination bags tournament with prizes. Up to 16 teams can participate. Those interested in playing need to sign up before 2 p.m. Sunday.
There will also be 50/50 raffle, which in the past has resulted in $2,000 winners.
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For families with young children, an area hosted by local childcare center Kids Kampus will offer activities designed for kids 12 and younger.
In addition to The Lantern, food will be available from Kreger’s Brat and Sausage Haus, John’s Ribs House, Kona Ice and from chef Terrell Cole of Dark Horse Grill and Catering, who will be “cooking up some of his signature dishes,” Pedigo said.
Musical entertainment will be provided by School of Rock Naperville, Tres Moustache, OMT and Maggie Speaks.
“Finding a local free performance of Maggie Speaks is not something that occurs very often so it really is a special opportunity to be able to come out and attend a free Maggie Speaks concert that is local to the Naperville area,” Pedigo said.
DuPagePads will be toasting multiple Naperville businesses for achieving important milestones. In addition to The Lantern’s anniversary, they also will recognize Henczel’s Barbershop’s 100th anniversary; five generations of family ownership for Anderson’s Bookshop over 151 years; and Dean’s Clothing, which has been in business for 67 years.
Naperville Neighborly Day is supported by funding from the city’s Special Events and Community Arts program. DuPagePads received $15,300 from the grant program to help cover the cost of city services for the event.