Aurora comes together for all-day festivities July 4
With the theme "Aurora Strong," the energy, pride and strength of Aurora will all be on full display all day for the city's annual Fourth of July festivities Thursday, July 4.
With activities planned for the morning, afternoon and evening, Aurora will come together to celebrate the nation's 243rd birthday.
The pre-parade ceremony is a community celebration beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the reviewing stand in front of the GAR Memorial Hall, 23. E. Downer Place.
The ceremony will feature special remarks from Mayor Richard Irvin, a presentation to the grand marshals and performances from Simply Destinee and AKA Dance.
The parade steps off from the intersection of River and Benton Streets at 10 a.m. led by the 911 operators - our 25 headset heroes of public safety. These courageous first responders answer more than 247,000 calls per year for the Aurora Police Department, the Aurora Fire Department and the North Aurora Police Department.
The parade route will begin at the intersection of Benton and River, head east on Benton, north on Broadway, west on Downer Place and ending at River Street.
After the parade, the Aurora Historical Society will host its annual Independence Day Picnic and Bell Ringing Ceremony from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tanner House, 305 Cedar St. The annual event will feature old-fashioned Fourth of July with music, games, petting zoo, museum tours, pie-eating contest, food for purchase, and the national Ringing of the Bells at 1 p.m.
The City of Lights lives up to its name with a spectacular fireworks display that will light up the night sky over the Fox River at approximately 9:35 p.m. The best viewing will be at RiverEdge Park and McCullough Park, where free family-friendly activities begin at 5 p.m.
• McCullough Park at the Prisco Center, 150 W. Illinois Avenue, will feature music by DJ Suave Smooth with carnival rides and giant inflatables for children. Food vendors include: Andre's Restaurant, Gallego's Snow Cones, Harvey's Firebox, Holy Pierogi, Jaquilita's Tacosa, Something Sweet Lemonade, and Wurst Kitchen.
• RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, will feature patriotic music from the American Legion Band, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Bruce in the USA at 7:10 p.m. on the main stage of the Dunham Pavilion, Aurora's premiere outdoor music venue. The community dance will commence at 9:05 p.m. with the Cha-Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, an Old Town Road Sing-a-Long and more. Food vendors include: Aurora Noon Lions, Bayou Chili, Beans, Greens & Proteins, Genoa Italian Concessions, Senor Taco, and Umbrella Azul.
The City of Aurora offers free park-and-ride shuttle service from 6 to 9 p.m., with round-trip rides to 11 convenient locations throughout the city. The shuttles resume service following the fireworks, with the last shuttles departing at 11 p.m. For the complete shuttle schedule, visit www.aurora-il.org/4thOfJuly.