Latest reporting from the Community desk.
Community
The Will County Imagination Library gained 736 new child enrollments in the week after founder Dolly Parton's death on Aug. 25, overwhelming the registration system and drawing new donations to the free book program that serves Naperville-area families.
Community
Naper Settlement's new Family Spooktacular event on Oct. 24-25 replaces the 20-year-old All Hallows Eve, offering trick-or-treating, live Disney music and Halloween activities for families with kids ages 3 to 12.
Community
Naperville's 61st Last Fling festival opens Friday, Sept. 4, with a new breakdancing competition offering cash prizes, four nights of live music headliners, KidsMatter as Labor Day Parade grand marshal and returning carnival rides along the Riverwalk.
Community
The Naperville Artisan Market returns to CityGate Centre for its fifth season on Sept. 19-20 with 100-plus Midwest artisans, free admission and free parking.
Community
The Naperville Park District will close the Riverwalk Community Center and its parking lot starting Sept. 2 for Last Fling, with modified holiday hours at Centennial Beach, Fort Hill, Paddleboat Quarry and other facilities through Labor Day.
Community
The World Doctors Orchestra performs a charity concert at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall on Sept. 11, followed by NCC alumna and DownBeat Rising Star Alyssa Allgood opening the Jazz Faculty Concert Series on Sept. 18.
Community
The Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling festival runs Sept. 4–7 near downtown, featuring a carnival on Jackson Avenue, the Labor Day Parade with grand marshal KidsMatter, food vendors, live entertainment and volunteer opportunities for local nonprofits.
Community
Naperville Public Library's Teen Pitch Program accepts team applications from grades 7–12 through Sept. 30, with winning concepts becoming real programs at all three branches in summer 2027.
Community
Naper Settlement's September 2026 calendar features a 9/11 commemoration with retired Naperville firefighter Chuck Wehrli, a Steve Spangler STEM workshop, escape rooms, walking tours, family science nights and a Craft by Beer event, with free admission for Naperville residents.
Community
Naper Settlement hosts "That Belongs in a Museum," a 21+ Craft By Beer event on Sept. 17 where adults bring quirky collectibles and compete to prove they're museum-worthy.
Community
The Naperville Sister Cities Foundation launches the city's first International Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Central Park, expanding the former Hispanic Heritage Festival into a free, multi-cultural celebration with food, music and an award honoring Loaves & Fishes CEO Mike Havala.
Community
A spring 2026 community survey of 780 Naperville households found the city outscores 103 comparable U.S. cities on nearly every measure, but mobility (63% satisfaction) and housing affordability (31%) remain the biggest gaps driving council discussion on bike access and density.
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