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Aurora's Festival of Lights brightens Black Friday

Black Friday is about to get a lot brighter with the season debut of Aurora's Festival of Lights celebration.

The glow of thousands of white and colored lights will shine in dazzling relief to the dark of night Friday, Nov. 24, through Tuesday, Dec. 26, at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive.

Presented by the Rotary Club of Aurora, in conjunction with the city, the display will be visible to motorists as they slowly drive through the park.

"There are over a half-million lights every year," said Larry Byers, Rotary Club of Aurora past-president. "We're up to three semis full of lights."

Byers said it takes about 70 volunteers to install the lights, which are attached to wire frames or trees. In all, 420 separate displays decorate the 1.1-mile route.

"There's a ringed loop that goes through the park," Byers said.

Visitors will see lighted representations of Santa and his elves, Old Man Winter, oversized snowflakes and animated scenes.

New additions this year include dancing arcs of light and a 20-foot sign that reads "Weisner Ice Rink" above a pond with skaters - an homage to former Mayor Tom Weisner, who helped launch the festival.

Byers said the city's cooperation has been invaluable.

"They help with the storage and we get to use the park," he said. "This is the 11th year we've done this. It's free to the public. We collect sponsor money throughout the year to pay for the lights."

The display is accessible only by vehicle. When drivers arrive, they're given a program describing the exhibit along with a candy cane.

"It's a 15- to 20-minute drive through the park," Byers said. "On the super busy nights, it can take a half-hour to 45 minutes to get through everything," he said.

Donations may be made to the Rotary Club of Aurora through a collection as cars exit the display. Byers said the club uses the money to support dozens of local charity organizations.

The festival is drawing increasingly bigger crowds, he said.

"Last year we had 30,000 cars come through," he said. "I think people are amazed when they see it. The word-of-mouth spreads. It's an enjoyable family thing to do for free."

If you go

What: Aurora Festival of Lights, created by Rotary Club of Aurora and city of Aurora

Where: Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, Nov. 24 through Dec. 26

Admission: Free; donations accepted

Info: aurorafestivaloflights.com

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