Aurora plans day to celebrate city's children
Children and their playful ways will be celebrated Saturday in Aurora.
El Dia de los Ninos (The Day of the Children), hosted by the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board, runs 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Aurora Transportation Center parking lot on the corner of Spring Street and Lincoln Avenue.
Since 1925 the special holiday, usually celebrated on April 30, has grown as an annual celebration throughout Mexico and other Latin American countries.
Board Chairman Cynthia Hernandez said the day is set aside to celebrate children, pays homage to their importance in society, and endorses their well being.
"Every child has that innocence and playful (quality) inside them," Hernandez said, "So we believe it is important to celebrate them doing well in school, obeying their parents and everything else that comes with being a child."
In about a decade, Hernandez said, the city's celebration has grown from about 200 people to a daylong celebration attended by more than 5,000 residents.
The event will feature food vendors, performances by Ballet Folklorico, Radio Disney and Ronald McDonald, rides, moon jumps, clowns and a talent show featuring three young local singers.
Special attention will be paid to this year's talent show as the top two finishers in last year's contest compete again with a contest newcomer.
Sinai Alfaro, 9, a fourth-grader at Brady School, will defend his 2008 crown against second-place finisher Destinée Oliva, 15, a sophomore at Waubonsie Valley High School. Ten-year-old Anthony Hernandez, of Annunciation School also will be competing.
While the rides and entertainment are predominantly aimed at the children in attendance, Hernandez said acts like Ballet Folklorico are also included to teach visitors about the culture.
"We invite everyone out to enjoy the day, regardless of your heritage," she said. "The Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board hosts our events, not only to fund scholarship opportunities but also to educate our city and neighbors about the heritage."
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Aurora's El Dia de los Ninos, a Latin American celebration of children</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Aurora Transportation Center, Spring Street at Lincoln Avenue</p> <p class="News"><b>Details:</b> Food vendors, performances, rides, moon jumps, clowns and a talent show</p> <p class="News"><b>Schedule:</b> Ballet Folklorico, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m,; Radio Disney, 2:45 to 4:15 p.m.; Ronald McDonald, 4:30 to 5 p.m.</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Free</p>