Pokemon Go, food trucks lure folks to First Fridays Aug. 5
It's another summer party at First Fridays on Aug. 5. This one involves a pop up shop, food trucks, Pokemon Go, and a beer garden plus art, music, and more.
Food trucks including Gobble Doggs, Grumpy Gaucho, and Cheesie's will add to the art-centric, monthly event. The trucks will be parked on Downer Place just west of Stolp Avenue from 6 to 10 p.m.
The Beer Garden on the lower level behind Ballydoyle Irish Pub makes its debut at First Fridays. The outdoor area will feature street festival food and a limited beer and wine menu from 5 to 10 p.m. Soulful guitarist Joey J. Saye performs from 6 to 9 p.m. on the outdoor stage.
Join the fire museum for a Pokemon Go evening. The Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will have lures to attract Pokemon - hopefully some fire and water ones will be around. Check out the museum and participate in a virtual and physical scavenger hunt for Pokemon, post your pictures using #ARFMPokemon and be entered to win prizes. You can also dress up as your favorite Pokemon and be entered into a drawing for an exclusive Pokemon prize. They will have Pokémon-related activities for the whole family to enjoy. 6 to 8 p.m.
• If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Ave., open "Vintage," a photography show featuring Laura Towle and Jean Hess from 7 to 11 p.m.
• Country duo The Moonlight Pickers perform a free concert at 6 p.m. in the gazebo at Millennium Plaza on Stolp Avenue. Singer songwriter Jim Green performs at 8 p.m. Free.
• Art therapist Liz Gardner opens "What's Love Got to Do with It" at The Light of the Heart, 52 W. Downer Place, from 6 to 8 p.m.
• David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, is open with two exhibits courtesy of the Aurora Historical Society from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Artists Allison Brooke and Nikki Marshall are featured inside Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St. from 6 to 9 p.m.
• River's Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Place, is open with music and tasty treats until 9 p.m.
• The quarterly Pop Up Shop returns in August to a new venue. About a dozen local artisans and vendors will set up in the former college campus at 5 E. Galena Blvd. Shoppers can enter the historic Block and Kuhl building from Stolp Avenue from 6 to 9 p.m.
• SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton St., is open at no cost to visitors. Explore a number of new exhibits. Photography of Victor Von Ehr displays in the gallery from 6 to 8 p.m.
• AKA Dance, 14 W. Downer Pl., hosts a dance party at suite 210 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Rocktown Adventures, 107 Spruce St. provides free canoe and kayak rides from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Detox Protocol, 59 S. Stolp Ave., celebrates their grand opening with a ribbon cutting. Learn about their juices and seven-day detox health routine at 6 p.m.
• G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, is only open on Saturdays and during First Fridays. Take a look at the recently restored Civil War museum from 6 to 9 p.m.
Pick up a free passport with First Fridays map at any venue.
Free trolley service runs throughout downtown from 6 to 9 p.m.
First Fridays in Downtown Aurora invites the community to enjoy art, music, food, theater, and more on the first Friday of the month.
All events are free and art is for sale. For more information, a list of First Fridays specials at participating businesses, and for a map of venues, visit www.auroradowntown.com.