Aurora turns National Night Out into a Community Night Oct. 6

With large gatherings posing a significant health risk amid COVID-19, events like the annual National Night Out that brings neighborhood residents together with public safety officials will have to be reimagined.

For Aurora, that means turning National Night Out into Aurora Night In.

Generally held across the country on the first Tuesday in August, the national organization made the decision in late spring to reschedule this year's event to the first Tuesday in October in hopes of having more options to gather in larger numbers. Under the Phase 4 Guidelines in the Restore Illinois Plan, gatherings of more than 50 people are currently prohibited.

Aurora Night In will virtually bring together nearly 30 neighborhood groups and public safety leaders on Tuesday, October 6 at 6 p.m. with the theme ‘Aurora: Still Strong. Still Safe. Still Together.'

The virtual celebration will feature an energetic roll-call of neighborhood groups introduced by the respective ward alderman. Each neighborhood organization - represented by a small group of participants - will display its own style of "Aurora Pride" through poems, songs and plenty of cheers.

Remarks will be presented by Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin, Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman and Aurora Fire Chief Gary Krienitz.

The event can be viewed live via the city's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofaurorail and website at www.aurora-il.org.