KIDSMATTER NAMED LABOR DAY PARADE GRAND MARSHAL
The Naperville Jaycees have named KidsMatter as the grand marshal of this year’s Labor Day Parade.
KidsMatter, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, addresses youth mental health, leadership development and career exploration. It also facilitates the Collaborative Youth Team of Illinois, a coalition of more than 30 youth-serving organizations.
“As the many challenges facing young people continue to evolve, so do our programs — but our commitment never wavers,” Nina Menis, CEO and executive director of KidsMatter, said in a news release.
The downtown Naperville parade starts at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7. It’s part of the Last Fling festival planned for Sept. 4 to 7, which also includes a carnival, food, live entertainment, a business expo and family activities.
For more information, go to www.lastfling.org.
WILL COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE WOODS WALK RETURNS
The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Woods Walk challenge, which encouraged residents to enjoy hiking on county trails, runs from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30.
Participants complete seven out of the 10 selected trail hikes to earn a commemorative medallion of a white-tailed deer, which is Illinois’ state animal, a district news release said.
The walks range in length from between half a mile to 4.25 miles and take hikers through forests, grasslands and along wetlands and streams, the release said.
Free and open to all ages, participants track their hikes using the Goosechase app or with a travel log available at the district’s nature centers, including Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook and Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville. Completed logs are due Dec. 7.
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For a complete list of featured trails, go to www.reconnectwithnature.org.
YOUTH BASKETBALL REGISTRATION STARTS NEXT WEEK
Naperville Park District youth basketball league registration for the fall season starts at noon Tuesday, Sept. 1, for Naperville residents and noon Thursday, Sept. 3, for nonresidents.
The deadline to sign up is Sunday, Sept. 27, a news release said. Practices start the week of Oct. 26 and games will be played from Nov. 7 to Dec. 20.
Registration starts Tuesday, Nov. 3, for residents to sign up for youth basketball’s winter season, which runs January through March.
The youth basketball program is one of the district’s most popular activities, officials said. Last year, about 3,360 participants signed up for the fall and winter sessions.
For more information, go to napervilleparks.org/napervilleyouthbasketball.
ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION ECLIPSE VIEWING EVENT
Naperville Astronomical Association will set up telescopes Thursday, Aug. 27, to give residents a chance to view the lunar eclipse.
The free, family-friendly event will be held from 9 to 11:30 p.m. at Frontier Park, 3415 Book Road. Club members recommend entering the park at Book and Conan Doyle roads due to construction at Cedar Glade Drive.
About 96% of the moon will enter the Earth’s umbral shadow, which will create a deep and dramatic contrast, a news release said. The partial eclipse phase starts at 9:33 p.m. with a maximum eclipse at 11:13 p.m. It can also be viewed with the naked eye or binoculars.
Updated weather and sky conditions will be posted at naperastro.org.