The block party on West Chicago Avenue looked like a celebration. Four bands played, kids lined up for Kona Ice, and families spread out between Washington and Main streets for a Sunday afternoon in downtown Naperville.
But DuPagePads chief development officer Chad Pedigo had a number he wanted neighbors to hear: 344 people in the Naperville area are experiencing homelessness, including more than 120 children.
"To be able to bring everybody together as a community and celebrate, but also be aware of neighbors who are in need, is incredibly important to DuPagePads," Pedigo told NCTV17 at the Aug. 9 event.
The free block party was the first Naperville Neighborly Day since 2023. The event had been paused for the pandemic and then for Washington Street Bridge construction. DuPagePads, the DuPage County homelessness nonprofit, organized the day with support from sponsors including BMO Naperville Bank & Trust, Wintrust Community Bank and Coldwell Banker Realty.
One last hurrah on Chicago Avenue
Pedigo called the afternoon "one last hurrah" on Chicago Avenue. DuPagePads has no concrete plans to bring the block party back to the same stretch next year.
"The face of downtown Naperville is changing with some upcoming construction next year," Pedigo said. "So most likely we may not return to Chicago Avenue, but we would like to find a place to continue the Naperville Neighborly Day tradition."
No new venue or date has been announced.
A decade of tradition
The event started 10 years ago as "Old Naperville Day," launched by The Lantern at 8 W. Chicago Ave. to celebrate the bar's 50th anniversary. The Lantern eventually passed organizing duties to DuPagePads, which used the block party to raise funds for its shelter and housing programs.
As we reported Aug. 7, four downtown businesses with a combined 278 years of history were honored at the event: Henczel's Barber Shop (100 years), Anderson's Bookshop (151 years), The Lantern (60 years) and Dean's Clothing (67 years). The city provided $15,300 through its Special Events and Community Arts grant program to cover city services.
The bigger picture
DuPagePads operates a 300-bed Interim Housing Center that shelters about 300 people each night, including more than 100 children. In December 2025, the organization received a $5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to expand family shelter and rehousing capacity.
The music lineup ran from School of Rock Naperville at 11 a.m. through headliner Maggie Speaks, which closed out the evening at 7 p.m. Food came from The Lantern, Kreger's Brat and Sausage Haus, John's Rib House, Kona Ice and chef Terrell Cole of Dark Horse Grill and Catering.
Sponsorships, raffle proceeds and donations from the day went directly to DuPagePads' programs serving those 344 neighbors.
DuPagePads will host its 24th annual Rock & Bowl fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 19, from noon to 3 p.m. at Fox Bowl in Wheaton. The event invites teams of five to bowl, enjoy pizza and ice cream, and raise money to support DuPagePads’ mission to end homelessness in DuPage County. Teams are asked to raise at least $500, with prizes awarded for both fundraising and bowling achievements. Registration is currently open.
