North Aurora adds new holiday festivity

There is a new way to celebrate Christmas in downtown North Aurora this year.

From 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, visit “Evergreen Holidays,” in the park west of the village hall, 25 E. State St.

The event is sponsored by the North Aurora River District Alliance, which is promoting the development of recreational opportunities linking the downtown to the Fox River.

A lighted pathway of evergreen trees will be featured, decorated with ornaments made by local schools and service organizations.

Treats and free hot chocolate will be available. A balloon artist will twist up fun, and there will be games and face painting. The Environmental Club from Fearn Elementary School is making ornaments at Red Oak Nature Center that day and will hike over to deliver them and decorate a tree.

“I think for our first year, I'm just really pleased with the response,” said Julie Simpson, NOARDA's chairman. Sixteen trees will be decorated, whether sponsored by organizations or businesses. “It seems like something people were looking for.”

NOARDA wanted to build off the annual Staker Tree Christmas tree-lighting in nearby Island Park, Simpson said, and come up with something to have people hang around the riverfront a little longer.

Co-sponsors are the North Aurora Mothers Club, the Lions Club and Crossway Church.

Earlier in the day, the North Aurora Beautification Committee will host a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in Island Park, at 1 p.m. at the southeast corner of the State Street bridge. Visitors can help decorate the tree, and there will be a singalong.

NOARDA is committed to increasing use of the riverfront. It has organized a project called “Water Wonders,” a 125-foot interactive stream, to be installed in the spring on the east bank. The project will teach about water conservation.