LIVING HERE
Dragon Days are coming on October 3rd and will go through October 5th.
Lake Geneva is the hometown of best-selling author Gary Gygax, and the birthplace of the world’s first role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons. It is also the home of Gary’s original game company, TSR, that produced not only D & D but scores of popular games and hundreds of fantasy and sci-fi novels until selling out to Hasbro in 1997. Events will be held at several venues throughout Lake Geneva, including Library Park, Geneva Theater, Geneva Lake Museum, 330 Center Street, Birthplace of Dungeons and Dragons, the Lake Geneva Public Library, American Legion Hall, and Horticultural Hall. Attendees and children of all ages will be able to experience our Fantasy Faire in the local park along the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva.
Here you may explore our Fantasy Village, enjoy trick-or-treating in our Enchanted Bazaar, adventure in our hay bale, Dragon Days Dungeon Maze, or dress up for our Fantastic Costume Contest! There will also be face painting, circus performers, Medieval musicians, demonstrations of Medieval craftsmanship, archery, and swordsmanship, and an Enchanted Bazaar with Medieval crafts, clothing, jewelry, and fantasy and gaming merchandise of all kinds.
The local library will be the site of fantasy and sci-fi book signings and a magical children’s fairy tale story time. The town theater will present screenings of the movies and Saturday morning cartoons (for kids of all ages). The historic gaming venues will have tabletop gaming of all sorts, including special introductory games that teach anyone how to play Dungeons and Dragons. And finally, the local museum will present its Wizard of Lake Geneva exhibit about Gary Gygax, as well as tours of Lake Geneva’s historic D and D sites, including the Birthplace on 330 Center Street.
Food and drink will be available nearby at the many local ice cream shops, candy stores, cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants in the charming downtown area, all within walking distance. Opening Ceremony and Library events are free. Admission, for all other venues combined, is $30 for the weekend and $20 for one day. Children 12 and under are free. Advance tickets are now on sale to avoid lines on festival days. Only $15 for one day, and $20 for the weekend.
Yerkes’ final open house for 2025 is on Saturday, October 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The observatory is celebrating International Observe the Moon Night, which is an annual worldwide program that encourages observation, appreciation, and understanding of our Moon and its connection to NASA planetary science and exploration. The observatory with be joined by their friends from NASA who will be providing engaging hands-on activities in the Drake Family Library.
They will also be joined by the Northwest Suburban Astronomers, who are volunteering their time to provide observing outside on our South Lawn if the skies are clear. Other activities will include special guests for you to meet, engaging in science demonstrations and activities, a scavenger hunt with prizes, and more for your family to enjoy. The open house will take place rain or shine. Reservations are required.
Tickets for this event cost $5 per child and $10 for adults and are available online only. There will not be parking onsite at the Observatory. Ticket holders must park at Williams Bay School and board an accessible trolley that will run a continuous shuttle between the school and observatory during the Open House.
