Naperville News Digest: Build a Bouquet event to be held May 11 in downtown Naperville; 5th-annual Pint for Kim blood drive returns to Naperville North HS; flower, herb and vegetable plants for sale at COD’s spring event

Build a Bouquet event to be held May 11 in downtown Naperville

Tickets are on sale for the inaugural “Build a Bouquet” event in downtown Naperville.

The Mother’s Day-themed event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 11, starting at Liam Brex, 222 S. Main St. Check-in times to receive a map and additional instructions will be staggered.

Moms can stroll through downtown Naperville businesses, receiving treats, gifts and various elements to build a bouquet, a news release said.

Tickets are $40 and only mothers need a ticket. A limited number of tickets are available, organizers said.

For tickets and more information, go to www.downtownnaperville.com.

5th-annual Pint for Kim blood drive returns to Naperville North HS

The 5th annual A Pint for Kim blood drive, held annually to honor of Naperville resident Kimberly Sandford who lost her life to cancer in 2020, will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St.

A Pint for Kim is the largest blood drive in the state, organizers said. Last year, more than 600 pints of blood collected. This year, they have increased the number of donation beds by 50% and hope about 800 people will donate, organizers said.

The event also features a car show, live music, raffles, games, food trucks, a kids’ area and other attractions, organizers said.

The event is held in memory of Sandford, who needed more than 40 blood transfusions in her final months of cancer treatment and helped plan the first event before her death.

Walk-ins are welcome, and people can register for a time slot at donate.illinois.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/5607611.

For more information, go to www.apintforkim.com.

Flower, herb and vegetable plants for sale at COD’s spring event

The Horticulture program at the College of DuPage will be selling flower, herb and vegetable plants at its spring sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 9; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 10; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at its greenhouse on the main campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

The sale includes a variety of uncommon annuals and perennials, fresh herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets, mixed containers and succulents, a college news release said.

All purchases must be paid for with credit or debit cards only.

For more information, contact Greenhouse Supervisor Amy Hull at hullamy@cod.edu or 630-942-3806.

Applications open for inaugural Water Street Fine Art/Craft Fair

Applications are due May 15 for local artists wanting to participate in the inaugural Water Street Fine Art and Fine Craft Fair.

There is no application fee. About 30 to 35 artists will be selected to be part of the event, a news release said.

The Naperville Water Street District is hosting fair, a juried art exhibition and sale, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 14, along Water and Webster streets in downtown Naperville.

Local artists from DuPage, Will, Kendall and Kane counties can display and sell their work in a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, fiber, graphics, jewelry, photography, pottery and glass.

Artists will have a chance to win one best of show award, which comes with a $250 cash prize and an invitation to return to the event in 2025. At the judges’ discretion, up to four honorable mention awards with an invitation to return will be given.

The show also will feature a Young Artist Makers tent by the DuPage Children’s Museum and live jazz from the Pete Ellman Trio. Water Street businesses will be open.