Aurora celebrates History on a Fork

The culinary traditions of the many ethnic groups that have helped build Aurora since 1834 will be celebrated at an Aurora Historical Society fundraiser called History on a Fork.

The event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 27, at One East Benton in downtown Aurora. Tickets are $45 for society members and $50 for others.

Guests will browse a buffet featuring the food of 10 or more nationalities, all of which contributed to the city's development. Dishes such as bouneschlupp, a creamy green bean soup from Luxembourg, and romeritos con camaron, a traditional Christmas shrimp stew from southern Mexico, will be on the menu.

Other items will include rugine duona, a Lithuanian rye bread, and garlic sausage made by the parishioners of St. George Romanian Catholic Parish. The menu also will feature food from the Greek, Italian, Irish, Indian, African-American, German, Puerto Rican and Jewish communities.

An open bar will serve wines and beers from various countries.

"Home is at the heart of great food," organizer Mary Clark Ormond of the historical society said. "Just think of the many thousands of newcomers to this city who, in the midst of an often-confusing new life, found a place of comfort in the kitchen. That's what we want to capture."

The celebration also will feature live music.

Reservations are required and can be made online at aurorahistory.net or by calling (630) 906-0650.