Veterans group trying to save Aurora parade

As far as Aurora-Roosevelt American Legion Post 84 is concerned, the phrase “the show must go on” also applies to parades.

The veterans group is raising money to hold Aurora’s Fourth of July parade this summer and will be supported with up to $15,000 in matching funds from the city.

Aurora originally cut July 4 parade funding from its budget, choosing instead to sponsor Memorial and Labor Day parades and spend $45,000 on an evening Independence Day celebration with fireworks usually attended by more people, city spokesman Kevin Stahr said.

“Given the difficult economic times, we had to make tough budget decisions and hope that civic and volunteer organizations would partner with us to preserve traditions like the Fourth of July parade,” Mayor Tom Weisner said in a news release.

Post 84 Cmdr. Norris “Doc” Erickson decided his group of about 370 veterans needed to step up to save the patriotic procession that historically has traversed downtown streets July 4.

“We’ve got to celebrate our freedoms; it’s just something that needs to be done,” Erickson said. “We need to teach our kids, our youngsters coming up, to take pride in America.”

Post 84 applied for funds through the city’s neighborhood festival program, which could have allotted up to $2,000 in city money for the parade.

But after a meeting with Weisner, the city decided promising up to $15,000 in matching funds would be worthwhile, Chief Management Officer Carie Anne Ergo said. In past years, running the parade has cost about $30,000.

“It’s exciting that the veterans groups have decided to ... take the lead on this,” Ergo said.

Aldermen-at-large Richard Irvin and Bob O’Connor will contribute some of their aldermanic funds to the matching amount and the rest likely will come from gaming tax revenue, Ergo said. None of the $45,000 allocated for Fourth of July fireworks will be diverted to the parade.

Alderman Stephanie Kifowit, also a Post 84 member, said a parade committee is meeting to plan the event, and Erickson added he’s received several small donations to the parade fund. Residents interested in donating or planning efforts can contact Kifowit at (630) 306-2888 or skifowit@aurora-il.org.

“I think we’re all pretty happy with the matching funds,” Kifowit said. “It’s been very positive in general with the reaction from the community with people really stepping up to help and wanting to be a part of it.”